Philip Paul Bliss & Lucy Jan (Young) Bliss

(Famous Hymn Composer & His Wife - Both Passengers on the Train)

 

Philip P. Bliss - Born: July 9, 1838 in Clearfield County, PA

                             Died: Dec. 29, 1876 in Ashtabula, OH

Lucy Jan Bliss -  Born: Jan. 14, 1841 in Rome, PA

                              Died: Dec. 29, 1876 in Ashtabula, OH

 

About:

Philip P. Bliss was a famous American composer, conductor, writer of hymns and a bass baritone-singing evangelist of the time. He also worked with the Rev. Dwight L. Moody, a famous evangelist in Chicago, IL. In less than five years, he wrote 300 hymns with more than three fourths of them with biblical words and music that were inspired by the sermons he heard from evangelists D.L Moody and D.W. Whittle. He also wrote the music for Horatio G. Spafford’s poem - “It Is Well With My Soul.”

 

After the Civil War, Philip Bliss traveled the country in both the North and the South helping heal the nation with his music.

 

Phillip married Lucy (Young) Bliss when she was 17 years old in Wysox, PA not far from Rome, PA. In fact, both places are in the same county. They had two children together, Philip Paul Bliss Jr., who was only 4 years old when his parents died and his brother George Goodwin Bliss, who was only 2 years old.

 

Without question, Phillip Bliss was the most famous person on the train the night of the disaster. However, he and his wife were not even supposed to have been on the fateful train. They were in Rome, PA visiting relatives over the Christmas holiday when Phillip received a telegram from Daniel W. Whittle requesting he return to Chicago to sing at a New Years Eve service being given by the Rev. Dwight L. Moody. Due to a delay caused by a train breakdown, they missed their connection, which forced them to take the Pacific Express the next day.

 

For a more complete biography of Philip P. Bliss, please click this link button.