From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 473
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

G. A. BISHOP

   G A Bishop, (is) a well-known resident of Atlanta township, Rice county, where he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.  His standing in the community is indicated by the fact that he is now serving as justice of the peace, to which position he was elected by popular ballot for the third term in November, 1900.  He came to Rice county in February, 1883, and since made his home within its borders, his hearty support being ever given to those measures which are calculated to prove a benefit to the community.

   Mr Bishop was born in Huron county, Ohio, near Havanna, March 23, 1848, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah Ann (Gardiner) Bishop.  The ancestry of the family is English and the first of the name to seek a home in America crossed the Atlantic about 1700, locating in Connecticut.  In that state Joel Bishop, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1759.  He was therefore a young man at the time of the war for American independence.  He joined the American army in order to fight for the liberties of the colonists, and being captured, was sent to New York prison.  The hardships and horrors there endured cannot be adequately described.  Mr Bishop was one of only three men who survived the prison experience.  Reuben Bishop, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, New York, but was reared in Wayne county, that state, and when he had arrived at years of maturity he married Sarah Ann Gardiner, a native of New York.  A farmer by occupation, he followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family, carrying on the work of agriculture throughout his business career.  His political support was given the Republican party after its organization.  In early life he held membership with the Baptist church but subsequently became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church.  He passed away in Havana, Ohio, in February, 1875, at the age of sixty-four years, but his widow is still living and at the age of eighty-three is enjoying good health.  This worthy couple were the parents of ten children, namely:  Deloss, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Evaline, deceased; William H, also a Union soldier; Alonzo T, Jr, who fought for his country in the Spanish-American war; Harriet Malissa; Gardner A; Eugene M; Reuben C; Sarah D; and Charles E.

   In taking up the personal history of G A Bishop we present to our readers the life record of one who is well and favorably known in Rice county.  He was reared to the work of the farm and lessons of industry and honesty were early instilled into his mind.  His literary training was received in the public schools.  When a young man he went to Peoria, Illinois, and was there married in 1875 to Miss Sarah J Bishop, who has proved to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on the journey of life.  She was born in Wayne county, New York, and is a daughter of D C and Mary Ann (Mead) Bishop, the former a native of Wayne county, and the latter of Ontario county, New York.  Her father followed farming and was a man of the strictest honesty and uprightness, his life being in perfect harmony with his professions as a member of the
Baptist church, in which he filled the office of deacon.  His wife also held membership in that organization and both commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom they were associated.  The father died in Peoria, Illinois, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother passed away in the same county, when sixty-four years of age.  Unto them were born nine children:  Mrs Sarah J Bishop, wife of our subject; H H; Helen N; Cynthia Z; Justin Mead; one who died in infancy; DeWitt C; W W; and the youngest, who also passed away in infancy.

   After his marriage Mr Bishop, of this review, resided for a time in Peoria county, Illinois, and then removed to Eaton county, Michigan, where he carried on farming in the midst of the forest, developing a good property.  In 1882, however he sold that place and in February of 1883, he came to Rice county, Kansas, where he has since made his home.  Here he began farming operations and everything went along smoothly until May 6, 1889, when his home was blown to splinters by a cyclone.  He lost not only his property but his furniture was also destroyed, together with many souvenirs and keepsakes which he valued highly.  One of his sons had his leg broken in the storm.  With characteristic energy Mr Bishop erected a new residence, which now stands in the midst of a beautiful lawn adorned with vines and other evergreen trees.  On the farm is a fine grove and a bearing orchard.  The timber tract comprises thirty-five acres and there is a grove of two thousand walnut trees.  Barns and outbuildings afford ample shelter for grain and stock, and the farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, is one of the valuable and attractive country seats of Rice county.

   The marriage of Mr and Mrs Bishop has been blessed with five children:  Milton B, who was born in Eaton county, Michigan, married Miss Cora M Greenfield and has one child; Waneta V; Lillie, the wife of H E Bishop, of Rice county, and has one child, Lorin Estelle; and Adelbert C, the youngest, is now a youth of thirteen years.  They also lost two children:  Luella C and an infant daughter.  Mr Bishop is an advocate of the Populist party and is recognized as one of the leaders of this party in his locality.  His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability have frequently called him to public office.  He has filled the position of township clerk and trustee, and for the third term he is serving as justice of the peace.  His rulings are strictly fair and impartial and thus he has “won golden opinions from all sorts of people.”  In the Christian church he is serving as elder, and his wife and youngest son and daughter also hold membership in the same organization.  Mr Bishop is found a champion of the causes of temperance and religion and of every movement that tends to uplift humanity and promote the general good.  His word is as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal, and both in public and private life he bears an unassailable reputation.