Ernest Robb Bliss

Ernest Robb Bliss of Greeley was a true pioneer and was the person upon whom James Michener based his "Potato Brumbaugh" character in the historical novel, Centennial. Bliss settled with his parents near Greeley in 1887. While attending the University of Colorado, Bliss played football, edited the college newspaper and was active in music, speaking and debate. He graduated with a bachelor's of science in 1896. In 1900, he contacted the agriculture college in Fort Collins and, working with the college, started forming small farm institutes around the state. The institutes helped develop the area's agriculture by disseminating knowledge about farming and new production practices. Bliss was very interested in improving production and developed the Bliss Triumph and Russet potatoes as well as an early maturing variety of oats, known as Bliss Side Oats, that grew well at the high altitudes of Colorado's mountain farms. Bliss was elected president of the State Board of Agriculture in 1923 and served in that capacity until shortly before his death in 1938.