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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Cyrus H. BISHOP 

Pages 802-803, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BISHOP, CRAWFORD, FOXWORTHY, FRYE, HILTON, JENKINS, SHEPLEY, STRODE, SWEARINGEN] 

    
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.