REV.. WILLIAM BISHOP, D. D.
SALINA.
WILLIAM BISHOP was born December 9, 1823, in the town of Whitburn, Linlithowshire, Scotland, and was baptized by
Rev.
John Brown, son of the celebrated John Brown of Haddington. His father, Ebenezer Bishop, was a millwright and machinist;
a
man of superior mechanical genius, but of very moderate education, who, from a lack of energy and perseverance,
did not
reach that distinction to which his abilities fairly entitled him. His mother, Margaret (Hastie) Bishop, was a
woman of great energy
of character. Both his parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and both, especially the mother, trained
their children in the orthodox tenets of that church; both were descended from a long line of staunch Presbyterians,
some of their ancestors being distinguished by their sufferings and heroism in the cause of civil and religious
liberty.
The education of William Bishop was begun in the nursery. He has no recollection of ever learning to read. At
about the age of six he was sent to school and carried with him the New Testament and Shorter Catechism as text
books. by the time he was nine years old he had a fair knowledge of the rudiments of a common-school education,
except the principles of English grammar. When nine years of age his parents emigrated from Scotland to the United
States and settled in Kentucky, near Lexington, where they remained about three years. Soon after their arrival,
however, William, being the oldest, at the solicitation of his father's sister, Mrs. Agnes B. Prentice, was sent
out to Illinois to live with his aunt, who resided near Jacksonville. It was expected that the family would follow
soon, but nearly three years elapsed before he again saw his parents During all this time he had few educational
advantages, but much religious training. His aunt was rigid in her religious notions, a genuine type of the Covenanters.
She was, nevertheless, of great benefit to him, though she governed by law rather than by love. On the arrival
of his parents in Illinois he returned t them and labored on the far, first in Schuyler county, then in McDonough
county. In the meantime he commenced his studies with a view of securing a liberal education.
He began his Latin and Greek under Rev. James Staffford, then conducting McDonough College, in Macomb, Illinois.
Under his tuition he remained a few months, when Mr. Stafford was succeeded by Rev. James M. Chase, and under him
he remained about six months. He made considerable progress, but was arrested in his studies by the necessity of
returning home to assist his father in opening a farm in the northern part of McDonough county. Here he labored
faithfully until the fall of 1843, when he repaired to Jacksonville, Illinois, to begin his studies in earnest
in Illinois College. He entered the preparatory department and in one year was ready to enter college. In 1844,
he began the regular classical course and graduated in 1847, completing the ordinary course of four years in three.
His limited means, he thought, made this necessary; but it undoubtedly impaired the completeness of his scholarship
and laid the foundation for much ill health in subsequent life. Illinois College has sent forth into every walk
of life many able men. Richard Yates, the distinguished war governor and afterward United States Senator from Illinois,
was its first graduate, and from 1840 to 1850 had in its faculty such eminent men as Drs. Edward Beecher, J.M.
Sturtevant and T.M. Post; Professors Adams and Turner, though less known, were no less able in their departments.
Having completed his college course and united with the Old School Presbyterian church in Jacksonville, and having
determined to study for the ministry, Mr. Bishop selected the Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, as
the place to pursue his professional studies. Mr. Todd, his pastor, approved his choice and aided him very much
in his designs. Accordingly, in the fall of 1847, he went to Princeton and remained there three years, taking the
full course. The teachers of that institution are known the world over - such men as Drs. Alexander, Miller, and
Hodge - and under these distinguished men he received his theological training. He was licensed to preach the Gospel
in the spring of 1850 by the Second Presbytery of New York, and a few weeks after graduated at the Theological
Seminary. His tastes in early life lay in the direction of the classical languages, and he was regarded as a good
classical scholar, especially in Greek literature.
Having completed his theological course, he was appointed a member of the faculty in Illinois College, and became
Assistant Professor of Languages, a chair he filled for two years. In the fall of 1852 he was elected Professor
of the Greek Language and Literature in Hanover College, Indiana, where he remained until ill health, six years
afterward, caused his removal to Kansas. He settled in Lawrence and was the first pastor of the Presbyterian church
at that place. Under his ministration the membership was enlarged from about twenty members to about seventy. At
this time he was prominent, in connection with others, in laying the foundation of the State University. His health,
however, not being satisfactory, at the solicitation of Colonel W.A. Phillips, now member of Congress from the
1st District, who had then, in the spring of 1860, laid out the town of Salina, he went thither and organized the
Presbyterian church at that place, now one of the best churches in the State. In the fall of the same year he removed
with his family to Salina, as did also Colonel Phillips, who, with his wife, united with the church and has been
ever since one of his warmest and most confidential friends.
In the spring of 1864, having received a call to take charge of the University and church at Highland, Doniphan
county, he removed to that place. In the meantime, during the war, he had been twice appointed chaplain of two
different regiments, but by reason of circumstances which he could not control he was obliged, reluctantly, to
decline. He remained in Highland about five years, and, mainly for the same reasons as in former instances, he
resigned his charge and returned to Salina. He was eminently successful at Highland. A large revival took place
under his ministry, and the church was very much enlarged and revived. On his return to Salina he occupied a year
or two in opening up a farm adjoining the city and erecting his present fine and picturesque cottage. For three
or four years he acted as county superintendent of public instruction, and during his term of service it is safe
to say that he did more work than has ever been done in that office in the same length of time. A large portion
of the work of organizing the county schools was done by him, and all the time his health was very feeble. In 1874
the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Highland University, a favor which, though unexpected,
was much appreciated, coming as it did from those who knew him so well.
In the spring of 1875 a change of some kind he felt was necessary, and accordingly accepted an offer to supply
the Presbyterian church at Independence, Montgomery county. Remaining there two years, his health was pretty much
re-established. His work at Independence is well known in Southern Kansas. He found the church there largely in
debt, and many of its members and adherents very much discouraged. During his labors there the church was increased
in membership about one-third, the congregations increasing to the very last, and especially distinguished for
intelligence. His family, during his sojourn at Independence, remained at Salina. As it was thought that the climate
of southern Kansas would not suit Mrs. Bishop, she being predisposed to asthma, and as there were some things in
his own mind in relation to that church, he returned at the end of two years to his old home. At present he is
at Salina, superintending his private affairs and engaged in his library pursuing his studies.
He anticipates in the near future to travel somewhat extensively in the Old World. His religious views have remained
substantially the same, though at times he has had very trying hours with skeptical notions. None have troubled
him more than the question just now so much agitated - to-wit: the doctrine of future eternal punishment, though,
after a thorough examination of the whole subject, his convictions must rest in the common orthodox view. The same
is also true as to the principal tenets of Calvinism. He is a Calvinist by education, but has examined and thought
out the whole system for himself, and believes it to be not only the most scriptural, but also the most philosophical.
He was originally a Whig, but is now a Republican. In religion and politics, though firm in his own convictions,
he is very liberal in his feelings toward all.
He was married July 4, 1854, to Miss Emma B. Hynes at Hanover, Indiana, while he was a professor in Hanover College.
Her father was W.R. Hynes, of Bardatown, Kentucky, a man of high standing, who removed from Kentucky to Indiana
to get away from the influences of slavery. Her mother, Miss Genault, was of French extraction, and was one of
the noble women of the earth. Mrs. Bishop has great executive ability, and much independence of character. They
have no children.
Dr. Bishop is five feet ten inches high, rather slenderly built, with light complexion. He has much energy, considering
his physique and lack of robust health. He is retiring in his habits, modest in general society, but very social
with his friends.
The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Chicago and Kansas
City, USA: S. Lewis, 1879. Typed by L.S.
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