Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Isaac Bloss
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
ISAAC S. BLOSS. A compendium of Clay
County biographies would be incomplete without
the history of this gentleman, who is one
of the oldest pioneers of Hayes Township, and the
owner and occupant of a pleasant farm located on
section 22. His years of Christian life, his good
citizenship, and his kindliness toward all with whom
he comes in contact, alike insure him their respect,
and he and his noble-hearted and capable wife
hold a high place in the regard of those who know
their lives and characters.
He of whom we write is a son of Dorman and
Susannah (Scott) Bloss, natives of Massachusetts,
and the Bloss family is traced back in a direct line
to the year of 1630, when one of that name emigrated
to Massachusetts from England. Being such
early settlers of the Bay State, it is safe to say
that the ancestors opposed Toryism, and left England
on account of lack of religious liberty, and
that the Continental army numbered in its ranks
men of that name. The ancestral religion was that
of the Congregational Church, so far as known.
The father of our subject was twice married, six
children being the result of the first union, and four
of the second. Of the latter family three are now
living. The oldest, Hiram, lives in Clay Center.
The youngest, Lovisa, the widow of Harrison
Kelly, lives with her son. Prof. D. S. Kelly, a
teacher in the State Normal School of Emporia.
Isaac S. Bloss was the second son of his mother,
and opened his eyes to the light in Tioga County,
Pa., April 21, 1817. When a few months old his
parents removed to Jackson County, Ind., where he
grew nearly to years of manhood, acquiring such
education as could be there obtained. When nineteen
years old he went to Washington County,
the same state, where he continued to reside until
the spring of 1870. He then came with his family
to this State, and deciding upon Clay County as his
future place of residence, filed on a homestead of
of 160 acres, which he still occupies. There
were only seven houses in Clay Center, when
Mr. Bloss arrived in the county, and but
few settlers in Hayes Township, and dugouts
the only residences. So sparsely was the
country settled that deer and antelope frequently
passed the door, and the country about them was
in almost a primitive condition. The land upon
which Mr. Bloss resides is now in an excellent
state of productiveness and improvement, and is a
valuable piece of property. He gives much credit
to his wife, who has been his counselor and
helpmate for many years, and who with him is now
enjoying the comforts which should surround declining
years, and are a legitimate fruit of lives
well spent.
On March 20, 1828, Mr. Bloss was united in marriage
with Miss Nancy McKnight, a native of the
Hoosier State, who was removed from him by the
hand of death, Sept. 27, 1862. She had borne him
three children, the second child and oldest daughter
�Elizabeth, J., being now deceased. The first
born is Prof. John M. Bloss, Superintendent of the
public schools at Topeka, Kan.; and the youngest
is Margaret, wife of Willis W. Tatlock, of Washington
County, Ind.
After remaining a widower several years, Mr.
Bloss contracted a second matrimonial alliance on
Sept. 5, 1866, the bride being Miss Jane McKnight,
who was born in Jackson County, Ind., Oct. 16,
1840, and is a daughter of William and Jane McKnight.
Her father was a native of Mercer County.
Ky., and of Scotch-Irish descent, while her mother
was of German ancestry, and was born in Washington
County, Ind. By his second marriage Mr.
Bloss became the father of six children: Prof.
Schuyler C., principal of the 3rd Ward school at
Clay Center; Scott, May, Hiram, Alva and Susannah.
Mr. Bloss has served as Justice of the Peace for
two years, and as Trustee of Hayes Township several
years, filling both positions in a creditable
manner. He is a Republican with strong Prohibition
sentiments, and an earnest advocate of good
government and morality. He and his wife are
members of the Presbyterian Church, at Clay Center,
and he is now officiating as an Elder. During
his residence in Indiana, ho was a Deacon and
Elder in the church.