The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-07-22


inent for years as political leader
among the members of the Republican,
party. His most distinguished services
for the state was rendered during the
two terms he served as a member of
the state senate. During his career In3
the upper house of the legislature he
was the author of many bills 80 ard.
the agricultural districts of the stats
and he held many important COMMITTEES
assignments.
Born in Town of SOmers.
The former senator was d native of
Kenosha county. He was born in tbs
town of Somers, June 6, 1874, sonAok
the late Jacob and Fanny pottery
Bishop, who were among the earliest
settlers of this section of Wisconsin,
Mrs. Bishop was a direct descendant
of General Potter, one of the famous
leaders of the American troops in tha
War of the Revolution. His father was
a political leader and had the distincs
ton of being the first clerk in school
district number one of the town Of
Somers.
Senator Bishop was educated in the
common schools of his home town and
when he completed his school work he
came to Kenosha to be clerk in the
store of Doan & Hawley. He remained
in the store for year when he heard
the call to service in the Union armyg
He enlisted as member of Company
B, Second Illinois Light Artillery.
which became known as "Taylor's Bat,
terry Later he was enlisted as a
member of Company C, 55th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, in which he served
for a period of three years. He was
mustered out at Nashville, Tenn, May
%, 1866. He participated in many Of
the most important engagements of the
Civil War, including the battles of
Port Gibson, Raymond, Champions
Hill, Black River and the siege of
Vicksburg.
Returns to the Farm.
After he had been honorably dis
charged from the Union army, he re-
turned to the farm in the town OF
farm of his own which he cultivated
until 1908 when he retired and moved
to the village of Somers.
He was one of the organizers of the
Home Insurance company of the town
of Somers and he served as secretary
of the company for 81 years.
Leader of Republicans.
Senator Bishop was recognized as q
leader of the Republicans in Racine
and Kenosha counties and he had wide
influence over the party throughout the
state. He was one of the cold Guard"
of the Republicans. He held many
public offices. He served as town
treasurer in his home town for eleven
years; he served as justice of the
peace for seven years; and for many
years he served as q member Of the
county board, serving as chairman of
the board for period of several years.
In 1906 he was elected as state senator
from the third senatorial district, de-
feating Otis johnson Of Racine and
Otis L. Trenary of Kenosha county in
the race for the Office. He was re-
elected for second term and after he
had completed his eight years in the
senate, ne QeClluGu " DC d
for reelection.
Leader In Home Town.
Senator Bishop had always been q
leader in the social life of the town of
Somers. He was united in Marriage
in November of 1886 to Miss Lydia J.
Clemens, a native Of Utica, N. Y. To
this union five children were born and
two sons, Adelmar A. Bishop of Racine
and Benjamin H. Bishop of Somers
survive. Another son, Edwin S. Bish-
CD, who became prominent as an in
structor in the University of Chicago,
died July 81. 1916. Mrs. Bishop died
Nav %, 1912. On April Z, 1915 Mr..
Bishop was married to Mrs. Harriet
Tanis of Chicago. The widow survives
him
Senator Bishop was one of the pio-
neer members of the Knights of Pyth-
las of Kenosha, member of the Mod
ern Woodmen at Somers, and of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
The funeral services will be held at
the home in the village of Somers on
Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock
and interment will be at the family
plots lakewood.