Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-08-02
RICHARD M. BISHOP.
Observation-Disclosures of the Dem
Ocratic Nominee for Governor.

Richard M. Bishop, who was nomi-
mated Wednesday for Governor, by the
democratic State Convention, was born
in Fleming county, Kentucky, No
vember 4, 1872. His PARENTS removed
from Virginia in the year 1900. The
ancestral lineage was German on the
side of the father, and English on the
side of the mother. and many of the
peculiar characteristics of both the Eng.
lish and German are strongly marked
in him. His parents were members of
the regular Baptist Church, of which
he also became member, February
II, 1923, being then but fifteen years
of age. At this time the Baptist
churches in Kentucky were greatly
excited in consequence of the circula-
tion of the Christian Bapatist, and the
assaults of Mr.. Campbell and his CO.
laborers on the religious corruptions of
the age. These excitements continued
to increase in the immediate neighbor-
hood Of the Bishop family until 1882,
when young Richard, with his parents
and Others, were all excluded from the
Baptist Church, on the charge of
"Campbellite heresy." Since then Mr..
Bishop has been associated with the
Disciples, or Christians, whose num-
bers have grown to over five hundred
thousand in the United States alone.
Young Bishop began his business
career in Fleming county, Kentucky,
as clerk In a dry goods store, at the age
tof seventeen, and before he WAS
|twenty-One was taken into partnership
by his EN- ployer. The firm did very
Iextensive business for that section OF
the country, From 1893 to 184i he was
engaged largely with his brother in
the pork business, which proved un-
fortunste. In consequence of the sud-
den depression In prices, and the down.
fall Of the Mississippi banks, in which
State they had sold largely, they were
compelled to suspend.
This temporary embarrassment,
however, did not discourage our sub
ject. He soon resumed business in the
same place, where he continued to
operate until the year 1S47, when be
removed to Mount Sterling, Kentucky,
at which point he established a branch
house, his brother remaining at the old
stand. Although he succeeded in
building upa large trade in Mount
Sterling, it did not present such a field
IL.
on the 1st day of March, 1S48, he re-
moved to Cincinnati, and commenced
the wholesale grocery business at No. i
Public Landing, Front street, under |
the style of Bishop, Wells & Co."
This firm continued until 1855, when
Mr.. Wells retiring, the business was
conducted under the firm name of "R.
M. Bishop & Co.," which style has
continued to the present time. The
firm is now composed of himself and
three sons, and is doing the largest
grocery business in the city, the sales
amounting, in some years, to nearly
ST, 100000 Their present place of bust
ness is 81 and SO Race street, in a block
belonging to the firm. Over this i'm
nense business the senior member has
control.
In April, 1857, he was nominated for
Council in the Second ward, on a Citi-
zens' ticket, and was elected by an
overwhelming majority. During his
career in the City Council he took a
prominent part in carrying out many
important measures looking to the i'm.
Of the city, such as bould-
'ring and improving the Public Land.
ng, inaugurating system of street
'ailroads, and other matters of general
interest. He was especially Jealous in /.
lis advocacy of public parks, and of.
cred the resolution in Council. and I
lse1 his influence to have it carried.
o convert the pcst-house lot into
ark, now known as Lincoln Park.
In April, 1859, he vas nominated bv
citizens convention for the office of
'Iief Magistrate of the city. In the
onvention he was opposed by several
rominent competitors, but notwith.
landing this he received the nomina. y
on, and was subsequently elected bv U
handsome majority, his opponent
eing Mr.. Flagg.
Scarcely had he taken the oath of
fice when he was confronted by some sp
olice Com missioners who claimed de
nder law, to have the sole appoint tn
ent and control of the police depart
ent. Mr.. Bishop at once saw that II