Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Bishop, George

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George Bishop (p 428)

An honored citizen of Richmond for the past thirty-eight years, George Bishop is entitled to a prominent place in the annals of Wayne County. As a Republican he has been actively interested in the success of the party in this locality, and in November, 1894, he was elected to fill the office of township trustee. He entered upon his duties in the beginning of the following year and is still serving, his record being one of which he has reason to be proud. For a score of years he has been identified with Osceola Tribe, No. 15, Improved Order of Red Men, and he also belongs to White Water Lodge, No. 41, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to Oriental Encampment, No. 28. In the last named organization he has been a trustee for the past twenty years.

Hart Bishop, father of our subject, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. He married Mary Clayton, a lady of English birth, and a number of years afterward they came to America with their children. They settled in Mount Carmel, Franklin County, Indiana, the same year, 1848, and there the father followed his trade of reed making, as long as he was able. He lived to an extreme age, his death occurring in October, 1880, when he was in his eighty-ninth year. The wife and mother did not long survive the immigration to this country, as she died the succeeding year.

George Bishop, born March 4, 1836, in Lancashire, England, is the only survivor of the parental family, as his three brothers and four sisters have all been called to the better land. When the momentous step of removing to the United States was taken, he was a lad of twelve years. He learned the trade of blacksmithing and carriage making at Mount Carmel, and has followed this occupation regularly since he mastered it in all its details. At the end of four years' work in Mount Carmel he went to Newcastle, Indiana, where he remained from 1857 to 1862, engaged in the management of a carriage manufactory of his own. The Civil War interfering seriously with his trade, he came to Richmond and, for the next fifteen years, was employed by Gaar, Scott & Company, and other firms. Industrious, prompt, and faithful to the best interests of his employers, he won their confidence and esteem, at the same time gained an enviable reputation among all of his acquaintances. His friends and well wishers in Richmond and vicinity are legion.

Over two-score years have rolled away since the day, in 1857, when Miss Mary J. Bartlow, of Mount Carmel, became the bride of Mr. Bishop. Seven children have blessed their union, and three of the number have entered the silent land. May is the wife of George M. Ayler, of Richmond; Altha wedded Charles A. Wilson, of this city; Lizzie is Mrs. John Bartel, of Richmond, and Blanche is the wife of William J. Oldaker, of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and have always been interested in the promotion of education and religion and the welfare of the community at large.