She was born on the bank of the Connecticut river in Fairly, Vermont, April 18, 1828, a daughter of Phelps Bliss, whose birth occurred on the same farm where his daughter was born. Her mother bore the maiden name of Lucy Putnam and was also a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, were married in that state, and the father carried on agricultural pursuits on the beautiful farm bordering the Connecticut river. Subsequently he removed to Wolcott, Lemoille county, where he engaged in farming until his emigration to the west. He took up his abode in Cresco, Iowa, in 1870, having purchased land there in 1866. He followed farming until his death, and both he and his wife passed away in that locality. Mr. Bliss was a most prominent, influential and distinguished citizen. He held all of the township and county offices and for many years represented his district in the state legislature. Mrs. Brock is a relative of Senator J. P. Dolliver, who married the daughter of George Pearsons, of Fort Dodge, a cousin of Mrs. Brock.

Her grandfather was General Putnam, one of the distinguished officers of the Revolutionary war, and her mother's brother blew the bugle which announced the capture of Black Hawk in the war of 1832. That Indian chieftain was then taken to Washington and through the country that he might gain a knowledge of the strength of the "pale faces" and their modes of living. Both of the brothers of Mrs. Brock, Samuel P. and Carlos Bliss, took part in the Civil war. The latter was wounded in the right leg in the battle of the Wilderness and died from his injury. \ In the Bliss family were nine children, namely: Alma, the wife of our subject; Martha, the wife of M. M. Smith, a prominent farmer of Center township; Mary, deceased wife of Otis Griswold, who, after her death, married again and resided in Hardwick, Vermont, but is also now deceased; Samuel P., who married Thankful Griswold, and after her death wedded Melissa Titus, who died in Manson, Iowa, where he is now living; Charlotte, who married Orlando Herbert and resides in Nebraska; Lucy, the wife of Nathaniel Durgin, of Cresco, Iowa; Etta, the wife of H. B. Stafford, who is engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Lovina, Iowa; Carlos, who gave his life in defense of his country in the Civil war; and Francis, who died at the age of six months.

Source: Page 357 A biographical record of Calhoun County, Iowa S. J. Clarke publishing company, 1902 - 585 pages

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Lucy B., born, Bradford, Vt., May 14, 1803, and died, New Oregon, Iowa, September 17, 1871 (married Samuel Phelps Bliss of Fairlee, Vt., December 7, 1826) ;

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