John E Bishop

BISHOP

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/14/2010 at 21:50:37

John E Bishop is one of Boone county’s venerable citizens, having reached the age of eighty-nine years. Looking back over the past he has little to regret and looking forward to the future has nothing to fear, for his life has been an honorable and upright one in business affairs he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen. His birth occurred in Zanesfield, Ohio August 16, 1825, his parents being John and Nancy (Seegar) Bishop, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Baltimore, Maryland. The father was a millwright by trade in early life went to Ohio where he was employed at his trade, erecting a large number of mils on the Mad river. He spent he remainder of his days there and passed away in 1836. His wife died in 1835.
John E Bishop was reared and educated in Ohio, but his school privileges were somewhat limited and the most valuable lessons of life he has learned have been gained in the school of experience. He was but twelve years of age when he started to learn the tailor’s trade, which he followed until he reached the age of twenty-one years. His health then became impaired and thinking that an outdoor life might prove beneficial he turned his attention to farming and cultivated a farm in that locality for about four years. I 1854 he removed to Polk county, Iowa, where he purchased a tract of land, which he continued to cultivate for a decade. During the period of the Civil war Mr Bishop enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company H, Forty-fourth Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one hundred days. In the fall of 1864 he returned to Ohio, where eh remained for one year. While living there his wife became ill and passed away I 1865. Mr Bishop then returned to Polk county, Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for three years and then went to Webster county, Iowa. There he bought and improved land, of which he was the owner for ten years. He next removed to Pilot Mound, where he conducted a lumber business, shipping in the first lumber that was ever used in this county. He continued successfully in that business until 1896, when he retied and has since spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He is still a hale and hearty man of eighty-nine years, being remarkably well preserved for one of his age.
In 1847 Mr Bishop was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A Bower, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet Bower, and to them have been born seven children, three of whom have passed away, while those still living are: Nancy, the wife of Lewis Stoughton, a resident of Trinidad, Colorado, Clara the widow of N C Petty who died on January 15, 1909, Maggie the wife of Martin Tomlinson, a resident of Pilot Mound, and John a farmer of northern Minnesota. In 1865 the wife and mother passed away and the following year Mr Bishop married Mrs Lucinda Harvey a widow whose first husband was a veteran of the Civil war. The children born of this marriage were four in number, one of whom is now deceased, the living being: Annie, the wife of M M Davis a resident farmer of North Dakota, Minnie the wife of Henry J Lundblad, a farmer living near Laurens, Iowa, and Frank Baker of St Paul, Minnesota. The second wife of Mr Bishop passed away in 1902, after a long and lingering illness.
Politically Mr Bishop is a republican, having supported the party since its organization. He was serving as one of the judges of election when President Lincoln was chosen as the chief executive of the nation. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and to its teachings he has ever been loyal. Mr Bishop is still quire well preserved for a man of his years and makes his home with his daughter Mrs Clara Petty. There have been o spectacular phases in his entire career, but the faithful performance of his daily duties has made his a record well worthy of emulation. He has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of those with whom he ahs been associated and as time has passed on he has become more and more firmly entrenched in the esteem and respect of those with who’s business and social relations have brought him in contact.

1914 Boone County History Book