Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 802-803; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Cyrus H. Bishop, the subject of our present sketch, is a
man much respected in business and social circles, and one who by his
strict morality and integrity of purpose has burnished an excellent
example to others, and has at various times been of great service to
his friends. His father, William E. Bishop, was a native of Maryland;
his mother, who previous to her marriage was Miss Catherine Swaringen,
was born in the State of Pennsylvania. They were married in Adams
County, Ohio, and continued to make their home there until 1835, at
which date they came to Illinois, settling in Putnam Township, this
county, after one winter spent in Lewistown Township. They lived on the
farm which the subject of our sketch now owns.
The parents were members of the United Brethren Church, and the
father was a Class-Leader for twenty-two years. He numbers among the
oldest settlers in this township, and during the early days of his life
here, wolves and other wild animals were plentiful. The farm was
unimproved land, and he built a round log cabin with stick and mud
chimneys. He was always a man of prominence in this locality, and by
means of his energy had his farm in a good condition when he died in
August, 1865. His wife died in 1874. To them were born twelve children,
three of whom are now living, viz.: Mary, wife of James Crawford; Cyrus
H. and Sarah, who is now Mrs. Hilton.
Our subject was born in Adams County, Ohio, October 7, 1827, and
received his educational training in a little log schoolhouse in this
township. His childhood and early youth were passed at the old
homestead, and in 1853 he journeyed West across the plains with an
ox-team, and spent four months and thirteen days before he reached
California. Immediately upon his arrival in that State he entered one
of the gold mines and worked there most successfully for over two
years. He then returned to Illinois--to his father's house--and devoted
his time and attention to the welfare of his parents until death
claimed them.
Mr. Bishop, in 1856, was married to Miss Anna Jenkins, daughter
of Thomas Jenkins, one of the early pioneers of this county who lived
in Waterford Township. Both he and his wife are dead. Mr. and Mrs.
Bishop were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living,
viz.: William; Oscar, who married Miss Nancy Frye, lives in Cuba and
has one child: Lincoln, who married Miss Ollie Shepley, and resides in
Canton; Cyrene, wife of Samuel Bishop, who lives in Lewistown Township
and has three children; and Jasper, who married Miss Rosa Jenkins, and
lives in this township. Mrs. Bishop died in 1868.
Our subject married Mrs. May J. Foxworthy in April 1870. She was
a daughter of William and Mahalia (Pollard) Strode, natives of Ohio and
Kentucky respectively. Mrs. Bishop's parents were married in Ohio and
resided there for a time, and afterward removed to Kentucky, where the
father died in 1842 and the mother in 1850. They were the parents of
ten children; six of whom are living, and five of whom make their home
in this county. Mrs. Bishop was born April 5, 1832, in Adams County,
Ohio, and is a lady who possesses great mental ability and is popular
in social circles. To Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have been born three
children, only one of whom is now living, viz.: Cyrus H., Jr., who was
born March 1, 1874, and received a good common-school education.
Our subject and his wife are devout and faithful members of the
United Brethren Church, and he has been Leader and Steward of same a
number of times, and is at the present writing Trustee. They also
manifest great interest in Sunday-school matters, Mr. Bishop being
Superintendent and a teacher. He has in addition to these offices been
School Director, and has in numerous instances administered to the
public welfare of this community. A Republican, he takes great interest
in political matters. Mr. Bishop owns eighty acres of valuable and
highly cultivated land, and in connection with his agricultural
pursuits devotes much attention to stock-raising and has in his
possession some very fine Norman and English-shire horses. A leader in
business, social and religious circles, Mr. Bishop has endeared himself
to the hearts of the people, not only in this township but through-out
the county.
