516:, a device which improved the efficiency of steam engines by returning condensation to the boiler so it could be re-used, and became widely used throughout the world. In 1872, he left Townsend & Jackson to become a partner with Townsend in the firm of Townsend & Blessing, which manufactured Blessing's steam trap. In 1875, Blessing, Townsend, and other investors formed the Albany Steam Trap Company, which expanded the manufacture and sale of Blessing's invention. While a partner in this company, Blessing continued to invent, and the devices he patented included traps, boilers, valves, and packing for steam engines, as well as pump governors, water filters, boiler purifiers, and steam and oil separators.
31:
423:
Board of
Supervisors from 1894 to 1896 and was the board's president from 1895 to 1896. In 1899, he was the successful Republican nominee for mayor. he served one term, 1900 to 1901, and was not a candidate for reelection. After leaving office, he returned to his business interests. Blessing died in
411:
that vastly improved the efficiency of the steam engines then largely in use in factories and other businesses. As the partner in an Albany company that built and sold his invention, Blessing became wealthy. He also continued to invent, and his efforts resulted in several more implements and tools
534:, the first chosen after enactment of a new city charter. He served one two-year term, 1900 to 1901. During Blessing's administration, he emphasized public education, including the completion of School 12. In addition, the city constructed and began operation of its first public baths. When the
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when he was five years old, and he attended Albany's public schools. Blessing began working as a grocery store clerk when he was twelve, and he continued in this position until he was sixteen. In 1853, he began work as an apprentice
392:, Blessing was raised and educated in Albany, and worked as a grocery store clerk before becoming an apprentice machinist. After completing his apprenticeship, Blessing worked at an Albany machine shop until the start of the
511:
In 1866, Blessing returned to Albany to become superintendent of the foundry and machine works at
Townsend & Jackson, where he was again associated with Frederick Townsend. In 1870, Blessing invented the return
523:, including service as vice president of his ward's party committee and selection as a delegate to numerous local party conventions. In 1894, he was elected to represent Albany's fifth ward on the
472:. Townsend joined the army and Blessing began working for the navy, so they did not continue to pursue procurement and fielding of their new firearm. In 1862, Blessing began working at the
572:
In 1857, Blessing married Martha Hutson, who died in 1866. They were the parents of two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. In 1870, he married Mary (Gilson) Judd, who died in 1916.
499:. Blessing was granted sick leave after the battles, and was discharged at the end of the war. From 1865 to 1866, he was chief engineer in charge of steam-powered machinery for the
545:, he organized ceremonies to commemorate the launch of the new ship. Blessing's victory helped usher in more than 20 years of control by the Republican organization headed by
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480:, where he took part in the design and construction of warships. In 1864, he joined the navy with the rank of third assistant engineer, and was assigned to the
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was a principal. He completed his apprenticeship in 1857, after which he continued to work as a machinist for the
Townsend company.
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Blessing died in Albany on
February 21, 1910. His funeral took place at the First Baptist Church in Albany. Blessing was buried at
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After the war, Blessing worked as the superintendent of an Albany foundry and machine works, and in 1870 he invented a
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Board of
Supervisors from 1894 to 1896, and president of the board from 1895 to 1896. From 1900 to 1901, he served as
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444:, on April 17, 1837, the son of Frederick I. Blessing and Lucinda (Smith) Blessing. His family moved to
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won the election for mayor, but he was elected by a coalition of
Democrats and anti-Barnes Republicans.
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369:(April 17, 1837 – February 21, 1910) was an American inventor, engineer, and business executive from
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Board of
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719:. Vol. III, no. 2. New York, NY: Charles B. Richardson. p. 203 – via
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741:. New York, NY: Hill Publishing Company. March 15, 1910. p. 515 – via
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811:"Albany Rural Cemetery Burial Cards, 1791–2011, Entry for James H. Blessing"
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693:. New York, NY: American Historical Society. p. 42 – via
396:. After working as a ship design and construction engineer at the
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at the furnace and machine shop of F & T Townsend, in which
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Blessing's civic and professional memberships included the
762:. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books. pp. 10–13.
794:. Buffalo, NY. April 11, 1895. p. 2 – via
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759:Machine Politics: A Study of Albany's O'Connells
424:Albany on February 21, 1910, and was buried at
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464:, Blessing and Frederick Townsend invented a
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713:"Appointed Acting Third Assistant Engineers"
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61:January 1, 1900 – December 31, 1901
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711:Richardson, C. B., ed. (February 1865).
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549:He did not run for reelection in 1900.
690:Encyclopedia of Biography of New York
563:Albany Institute of History & Art
519:Blessing was active in politics as a
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864:Businesspeople from Albany, New York
561:, Capital City Republican Club, and
538:planned construction of the cruiser
419:in politics, Blessing served on the
818:. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. 1910
491:, he took part in December 1864's
482:North Atlantic Blockading Squadron
333:North Atlantic Blockading Squadron
14:
879:19th-century American politicians
859:People from Guilderland, New York
484:. While performing duties aboard
436:James Henry Blessing was born in
412:that were used on steam engines.
894:Burials at Albany Rural Cemetery
874:Engineers from New York (state)
869:Inventors from New York (state)
687:Fitch, Charles Elliott (1916).
377:, he served as a member of the
717:United States Service Magazine
530:In 1899, Blessing was elected
468:rifle intended for use by the
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735:"Obituary, James H. Blessing"
884:New York (state) Republicans
497:Second Battle of Fort Fisher
353:Second Battle of Fort Fisher
756:Robinson, Frank S. (1977).
493:First Battle of Fort Fisher
348:First Battle of Fort Fisher
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889:Mayors of Albany, New York
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329:Bureau of Yards and Docks
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49:Mayor of Albany, New York
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16:Mayor of Albany, New York
320:Third Assistant Engineer
565:. He was also a devout
503:City Railroad Company.
476:as an engineer for the
132:Albany County, New York
92:Albany County, New York
792:The Buffalo Commercial
739:Power and the Engineer
440:, part of the town of
203:French Mills, New York
577:Albany Rural Cemetery
442:Guilderland, New York
426:Albany Rural Cemetery
390:Guilderland, New York
309:Years of service
231:Albany Rural Cemetery
72:Thomas J. Van Alstyne
788:"Crossing Bills Out"
597:Oren Elbridge Wilson
595:In 1894, Republican
460:At the start of the
134:Board of Supervisors
94:Board of Supervisors
495:and January 1865's
277:corporate executive
854:Union Navy sailors
547:William Barnes Jr.
536:United States Navy
474:Brooklyn Navy Yard
462:American Civil War
455:Frederick Townsend
398:Brooklyn Navy Yard
394:American Civil War
343:American Civil War
769:978-1-4128-2775-1
367:James H. Blessing
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235:Menands, New York
213:February 21, 1910
90:President of the
37:Albany Chronicles
23:James H. Blessing
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185:Personal details
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816:Ancestry.com
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774:Google Books
772:– via
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438:French Mills
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388:A native of
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215:(1910-02-21)
170:Constituency
161:Succeeded by
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121:Succeeded by
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79:Succeeded by
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36:
35:From 1906's
849:1910 deaths
844:1837 births
822:January 27,
257:Mary Gilson
176:'s 5th Ward
151:Preceded by
111:Preceded by
67:Preceded by
838:Categories
607:References
553:Later life
521:Republican
514:steam trap
478:Union Navy
470:Union Army
432:Early life
417:Republican
409:steam trap
402:Union Navy
375:Republican
303:Union Navy
287:Allegiance
270:Occupation
246:Republican
196:1837-04-17
488:New Berne
451:machinist
312:1864–1865
252:Spouse(s)
145:1894–1896
141:In office
105:1895–1896
101:In office
57:In office
501:Brooklyn
275:engineer
273:Inventor
262:Children
567:Baptist
299:Service
766:
542:Albany
507:Career
446:Albany
237:, U.S.
222:, U.S.
205:, U.S.
174:Albany
583:Notes
292:Union
824:2024
764:ISBN
540:USS
486:USS
373:. A
339:Wars
325:Unit
317:Rank
210:Died
190:Born
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