BISHOP, John - 1890 Bio (1826-1904)

BISHOP, BARKER, HUFFMAN, HEALD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/28/2007 at 16:53:57

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 373-374

John BISHOP, one of the prosperous farmers of Liberty Township, Jefferson County, was one of six children born unto Sylvester and Rachel (BARKER) BISHOP. His father, who followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life, was a native of West Virginia, and in that State was married in 1821. The following year he emigrated to Ohio, but afterward returned to his native State, where he spent five years, when he again emigrated westward. Making a location in the Buckeye State, he lived the life of a farmer, and at the close of an upright and useful career was called to his final home in 1854. On the mother's side we hear of the grandfather serving with credit in the War of 1812.

John BISHOP, whose name heads this sketch, was born on the 22d of September, 1826, and grew to manhood in his native State -- Ohio, where he acquired a common-school education. Having attained to years of manhood, he started out to seek his fortune, and in 1850 made a location in Van Buren County, Iowa. Four years later the death of his father occurred and the management of the old homestead then devolved upon his brother Ulrich, but he survived only a short time and John then returned to his old home and brought with him to Iowa his widowed mother and Payton and Mary, his brother and sister. The other members of the family, Hiram, Sylvester and Catherine, were already residents of the State, and now the entire family were gathered together in Van Buren County. The mother long survived her husband, dying in 1876, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.

In his youth John BISHOP had learned the trade of carpentering, which he followed as a means of livelihood for about five years after his arrival in Iowa, when, in 1858, he purchased land and turned his attention to farming. In 1868 he purchased his present farm, then comprising two hundred acres, to which, in the spring of 1890, he added a one hundred and twenty-acre tract. Well-tilled fields, good barns and outbuildings and many improvements both of a useful and ornamental character indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner who is now enjoying the results of a life of well-directed efforts in a large and pleasantly-arranged home, which is furnished and surrounded by all the comforts which go to make life worth living.

On the 4th of March, 1854, Mr. BISHOP led to the marriage altar Miss Mary E. HUFFMAN, of Van Buren County, daughter of Burk and Mary HUFFMAN, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. Mrs. BISHOP has the honor of being the first white child born in Van Buren County, her birth occurring on a farm lying both in Van Buren and Jefferson Counties, on the 8th of January, 1838. Her parents came to Iowa in December, 1836, and made their home in Ft. Madison until March of the following year, when they came to Van Buren County, locating on the farm before mentioned, which continued to be their home until the death of Mr. HUFFMAN in 1857. Beside their daughter Mary, that worthy couple were the parents of Barbara, James, Samuel, George, Hirt, John, Frederick and Robert HUFFMAN. Five of their sons donned the blue and fought in defense of their country during the late war. Samuel was wounded at Ft. Donelson and died at home on the 22d of March, 1862; John was the commander of Company H, Fifth Iowa Infantry, and was in prison fifteen months; Fred was wounded at Missionary Ridge. Robert was taken prisoner at the same battle and died in Andersonville Prison in 1863, after being held in captivity for fifteen months. James was a member of the Missouri Militia.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. BISHOP was blessed with a family of nine children, but three of the number died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are Joseph Talbot, Sylvester Burk, Ann Maria, Robert, Carl and Mary, all of whom reside at home with the exception of Sylvester, who married Emma HEALD and is now a resident of Liberty Township. Carl is a graduate of Parsons College, of Fairfield, and is now employed as a principal of the Libertyville Schools, while Mary, who received an academic education, is a successful teacher in the district schools.

Mr. BISHOP has ever manifested a deep interest in the cause of education and has served as a School Director in his district. By reason of his long residence in the county he has become an honored member of the Old Settlers Association. He is one of the stockholders of the County Fair; in politics he is a Republican with strong Prohibition principles, and as a citizen he ranks among the best.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.