For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 117
WILLIAM E.BLIVEN: The leaders of the world are comparatively few. The great mass of men are content to remain in the position where environment or ability has placed them without striving to reach a position which gives them a broader outlook and wider opportunities. Occasionally, however, there are found men who forge their way to the front, displaying powers of organization and esecutive ability which enables them to establish and successfully control important business interests and enterprises. To this class belongs William E. Bliven, one of the most successful business men in Muscatine, a partner of the firm of McKee & Bliven, button manufacturers, whose extensive industrial enterprises furnish employment to between five to six hundred operatives. The business is a monument to the energy, determination and carefully formulated plans of two partners.Mr. Bliven is a native of Columbus City, Iowa. He was born on the 29th of June, 1860, and is the elder of the two children of Albert L. and Miriam Alberta ( Wheelen ) Bliven. His sister Anna is now the wife of James S. McKee, of Muscatine. At an early period in the settlement of the new world the Bliven family was founded in New England. Nathan W. Bliven, the grandfather of William E. Bliven, was born in Connecticut and became one of the pioneer settlers of Columbus City, Iowa. Nathan W. Bliven for many years engaged in business as a lumberman at Boliver, New York. He died when past middle life at Columbus City, Iowa, shortly after arriving there. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucinda Wheelock, and unto them were born five children: Albert L., Esther, Rosetta, Elizabeth and Hiram W. The mother after losing her first husband, became the wife of William Todd, and unto them were born two children, Sophia and James.
Albert L. Bliven was only a boy when he came to Iowa with his parents. His birth had occurred in Boliver, New York, but he was largely reared at Columbus City, Iowa, and after attaining his majority he followed railroading for a time. The latter part of his life was devoted to farming and to stock-raising. About 1870 he removed to Conesville, where he died October 9, 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife was a native of Ohio and a daughter of James Wheelen, who was born in Philadelphia and was of Irish descent. He was a hatter by trade but later turned his attention to farming, which he followed at Coshocton, Ohio, until called to his final rest when in middle life. He had married Miss Patience Thompson, and they had three children, Martin, Mary and Miriam A. Of these Miriam became the wife of Albert L. Bilven and for about two years she survived her husband, passing away in 1900 when sixty-eight years of age. Both were consistent members of the German Reformed church.
William E. Bliven was reared in Columbus City and in Conesville, Iowa, mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools, after which he entered an academy and the State University of Iowa at Iowa City. Entering business as a merchant, he was connected with the clothing trade in Muscatine until 1898, and in the conduct of his store met with substantial success, energy and close application proving the foundation upon which he built his prosperity. He afterward engaged in the banking business at Tacoma, Washington, and previous to that time he had become financially interested in a button manufacturing business in Muscatine. In 1906 he returned to this city and in connection with James S. McKee is still carrying on the business under the style of the McKee & Bliven Button Company. The business was established in 1895 on a small scale and its growth is indicated by the fact that they now employ between five and six hundred people, selling their goods throughout the United States. Theirs is a splendidly equipped plant, supplied with the lastest improved machinery, and the reliable business methods of the house combined with the attractiveness of the output has brought to them a very extensive and gratifying patronage. Mr. Bliven is a man of resourceful business ability and aside from his manufacturing interest in Muscatine is connected with a number of important business undertakings. He is the Vice President of Muscatine State Bank, is President of the Kelso State Bank of Kelso, Washington, and is treasurer of the Willapa Lumber Company of Raymond, Washington. He also owns farm lands in Muscatine county.
In June, 1888, Mr. Bliven was united in Marriage with Miss Nellie Canon, a native of Muscatine and a daughter of Joshua and Rhoda ( Smalley ) Canon, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Bliven are the parents of four children, Miriam, Helen, Albert and Anna.
In his political views Mr. Bliven is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are greatly interested in all that pertains not only to its welfare but to the substantial progress and upbuilding of the community at large. His cooperation can always be counted upon when progressive measures are at stake. Moreover, through his business activity he has contributed in large measure to the substantial upbuilding of the city. His record is such as any man might be proud to possess, for he has never made engagements that he has not kept nor incurred obligations that he has not met. At all times his actions have conformed to a high standard of business ethics and he enjoys the unqualified regard of contemporaries and colleagues.
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