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John M. Bloss

1839 – 1905

American academic administrator

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About John M. Bloss

Lived 1839 – 1905 (aged 65).

John McKnight Bloss (January 21, 1839 – April 26, 1905) was an American Civil War soldier who had an influence on the Battle of Antietam and was later President of Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) from 1892 until 1896.

Early life and education He was born in New Philadelphia, Indiana in 1839.

Bloss attended Hanover College in Indiana from 1854 and earned an A.B. degree with honors in 1860. This helped lead the Union to victory in the battle. Bloss fought and was wounded in several battles, including Antietam, before he resigned in 1864.

Career in education He was a teacher; a principal; superintendent of the Indiana city schools of Evansville (1875–80) and Muncie (1883–86) and of Topeka, Kansas (1886–92); and the State Superintendent for Public Instruction for Indiana (1880–82). In April 1892, Bloss was selected as the third president of Oregon State University, but retired in 1896 due to his failing health.

Personal life Bloss married Emma L. McPheeters in 1865. They had two children, Nannie and William (Will). After Emma died of typhoid in Topeka, Kansas. He remarried in 1893, after meeting Mary A. Wood while serving as OAC president.

Bloss died in 1905 and is buried in Muncie, Indiana.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Hanover College
Positions held
University president
Employers
Oregon State University
Also known as
John McKnight Bloss

People in John M. Bloss's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John M. Bloss's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John M. Bloss?

American academic administrator

When was John M. Bloss born?

John M. Bloss was born on 21 June 1839 in New Philadelphia.

When did John M. Bloss die?

John M. Bloss died on 26 May 1905 in Hamilton Township.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John M. Bloss

· Wikidata: Q6245707

· DBpedia: John M. Bloss

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John M. Bloss. https://biography.guide/john-m-bloss/

MLA: "John M. Bloss." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-m-bloss/.

Chicago: "John M. Bloss." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-m-bloss/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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