STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1904, page 1, column 5

JAMES BLASS, 15 Jul 1833 - 25 Feb 1904

   James Blass, one of Toledo's representative business men, died 
Thursday, Feb. 25, 1904, at his home, 1207 Superior Street, Toledo, Ohio. 
   About 5 weeks ago, Mr. Blass was stricken with paralysis in his office 
in the Produce Exchange.  He was quite ill for some time, but recovered 
from the shock sufficiently to be out again.  Later he suffered another 
slight shock, and although he rallied slightly, he never regained his 
strength.  On Feb. 22, he was stricken with a fatal weakness, and although 
everything possible was done, he gradually became weaker, until his death.
   Mr. Blass had been in the grain commission business for the past 
twenty-five years, and was a charter member of the Produce Exchange.  He 
was born in Cayuga county, New York, July 15, 1833.  His father, Adam 
Blass, was a blacksmith and wagon maker, and was the father of seven 
children, now all dead except George Blass of Angola, Indiana, who was the 
youngest.  At sixteen, he entered a store in Branch county as general 
help, and stayed there one year, when he removed to a similar position 
across the state line in Orland, Indiana.  There he remained until 1856 
when he was taken into partnership with Mr. C. L. Luce, at the time 
operating a general mercantile business in Indiana.  In 1865, Mr. Luce and 
Mr. Blass came to Toledo and engaged in the wholesale dry goods business, 
the firm being known as Luce, Chapin & Blass.  During a long period of 
years this was one of the leading mercantile houses in Toledo.  In 1873, 
Mr. Blass retired from the firm on account of failing health, and shortly 
afterward, finding activity in business again, forming a partnership with 
Edwin Goldsmith, formerly of Orland, in the grain commission business, and 
a few months later, took F. C. Chapin, also from Orland, into the firm, 
which continued in business for two years.  Mr. Goldsmith then retired, 
and the business was continued by Messrs. Blass and Chapin until the death 
of Mr. Chapin in 1895, since which time Mr. Blass has conducted his 
affairs alone, under the name of Blass & Co.
   For many years Mr. Blass was a director in the Merchants and Clerks 
Savings Bank, retiring last year from this office.  He was twice elected 
president of the Produce Exchange and had many friends on the floor.  He 
was a particularly genial and courteous gentleman, and was popular among 
his business and social acquaintances.  He was married in 1860 to Miss 
Elouisa C. Chapin, daughter of Colonel Chapin, of Orland, Indiana, who 
died some time ago.  He leaves two daughters and one son, Mrs. Simon 
Grischott and Mrs. E. H. Witker, of this city, and Leslie Blass, clerk at 
the Russell House, in Detroit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   James Blass, 15 Jul 1833 - 25 Feb 1904, son of Adam Blass, on 05 Oct 
1860, married Elouisa Cordelia (Chapin) Blass, 12 Oct 1839 - no date of 
death.  Elouisa was the daughter of Col. Alexander Chapin, 30 May 1805 - 
14 Mar 1849, and Cyrene C. (Clark) Chapin, 16 Feb 1801 - 14 Jan 1895 who 
are buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana.

   Brother, George W. Blass, 16 Oct 1851 - 10 Aug 1915, on 01 Jan 1874, 
married Jennie A. (Aldrich) Blass, 20 Jul 1854 - 1918, buried at Circle 
Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana.  Jennie was the daughter 
of Hamilton Metcalf Aldrich and his 1st wife, Harriet (Sherwood) Aldrich.

   1880 United States Census, Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio, Family History 
Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, #1255042, NA Film #T9-1042, Page #37A, 
lists these children for James and Elouisa:  Elouisia C. Minniey Blass, 
age 16; Gertrude C. Blass, age 14; James L. Blass, age 1.  His mother-in-
law, Cyrene O. Chapin, is also listed as an occupant of the household.

"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, 
Vol. 1, pages 161, 320, 321
www.familysearch.org
Submitted by:  Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net