My Genealogy Hound

KINYON BLY, an enterprising general farmer and successful stock-raiser of Marcellus, Cass County, Mich., is a native of New York, and was born in Chenango County, in the year 1824. His parents, Job and Frelove (Watson) Bly, resided for many years in the Empire State, but they were both of New England nativity. The father was born in Rhode Island. The birthplace of the mother was Connecticut. Nine children blessed the home of Job and Frelove Bly. Their son, Henry W., was one of the oldest members of the family. He was born in Rhode Island, and arrived at mature years an energetic and enterprising man. In 1852 he decided to try the broader opportunities offered young men in the West. Journeying to Michigan, he determined to locate there and made his permanent home in Marcellus Township. A man of superior business attainments, he accumulated a fine property, owning a valuable and highly improved homestead of four hundred acres. Henry W. Bly was a man of a high order of intelligence and well versed in law. For twenty-nine consecutive years he held the position of Justice of the Peace, and by his judicious decisions and uniform rulings — always in full accord with law and evidence — commanded the good-will and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. He also served with great acceptability as Supervisor of the township. His first wife dying in 1868, his second marriage occurred in 1871. His death was mourned as a public loss by the community in which his presence had so long been familiar. His wife survived him, but sometime after his demise passed away in Marcellus.

Our subject, who was reared and educated in the home of his parents, remained in New York until middle life. In 1852, in the Empire State, Kinyon Bly was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Copeland. Mrs. Bly was of Scotch descent. Her grandparents were born in Scotland. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Bly was of immediate English ancestry. Our subject has been prospered financially, and is accounted one of the most thorough and practical farmers in Cass County. Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Bly is the owner of valuable property in Marcellus, and also possesses real estate in Chenango County, N. Y.

Our subject, like his brother Henry, began life at the foot of the ladder, and has made the top round of success only by energetic and persevering application. Politically, Mr. Bly is a strong Democrat and an ardent advocate of the party, and is interested in both local and national issues. He and his excellent wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and are ever ready to lend a helping hand in all good work. They have no children. Arriving within the borders of Michigan in 1876, Mr. and Mrs. Bly have for seventeen years been actively identified with the growth and development of Marcellus Township, and, widely known, enjoy the respect and esteem of a large circle of old-time friends and acquaintances.