Philip Paul Bliss 1838-1876

The author of the hymns, “Man of Sorrows—What a Name!” and “Jesus Loves Even Me” and the music to “It is Well with My Soul” died on this day, December 29, 1876 in Ashtabula, Ohio. He and his wife were on board a train when a bridge collapsed on top of them. Apparently, he survived the ordeal but was killed when he returned into the train, now on fire, in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue his wife.

In his luggage, apparently on a different train, they discovered the words to another of his hymns: “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.”