Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-12-06

TOHN F. BISHOP of Dillon. who passed
away a few days ago at the age OF 80
- after a lingering illness, was one OF
the few remaining early pioneers OF
Beaverhead county.
Mr.. Bishop came to Beaverhead county
in 1868, and had made his home there
ever since, during the early years OF his
residence engaging in the mining pro-
fession. He retired from active super
vision of his extensive interests several
years ago.
He was born In Wyoming county, New
York, March IA, 1886. He was the son
of Benjamin Bishop, a veteran of the
war of 1912. He was reared in wyoming
county, and during the winter attended
the schools, and in the summer worked
on the farm. He stayed on the farm
until he had attained his majority, and
then removed to Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1859, MIR. Bishop went to
Hannibal, Mo. The following year he left
Fort Leavenworth, Kan, with an OK team
freight train, bound for Pixies Peak,
Colo. During 1860, he worked in the min
ing profession in Colorado, and until
1852, was engaged in placer mining In
that territory.
In March, 1868, he left for Bannack,
arriving there on the twentieth OF April.
The following year be removed to Vir-
GINA City, where he engaged in mining
activities. In the fall of 1864, he pur-
chased oxen in Salt Lake City and started
f~reighting between Salt lake and Vir-
ginia City. He took up q ranch In the
Beaverhead valley in 1866, but continued
~freighting until 1857, conducting a prof.
liable business.
In 1868 he vent t. Salt Lake to buy
cattle for his ranch, but found prices
SO high hat he returned to Montana and
bought the stock.
In the spring Of 1869 he and the late
r. A. Reynolds of Twin Bridges wen to
Oregon and bought a band of sheep. They
trailed the and through ~unexplored ter
ritory, undergoing hardships which would
have disheartened the most intrepid OF
pioneers. Their band of sheep was one OF
the first brought int the state OF Mon
tana, and Mr.. Bishop lived to see 1t one
of the leading industries of the state
The two partners the following year sold
the first wool clip ever raised in the
county, the purchaser being Col. G. A
B~roadwater, who shipped the wool to
Corrine, Utah.
The following spring, Mr.. Bishop and
his partner brought in 1,400 head OF
sheep from Oregon, and the former re
manned in the sheep business in the
Beaverhead valley until 1899, when he
disposed of the majority Of his interests
Since that time, Mr.. Bishop had been
engaged In divers pursuits. He had ranch.
interests, ana UOOh hl dSllNe AAtSicoI Al
the development of the mining industry
in the vicinity Of Dillon.
In 1900 he retired and removed to Dn-
lon. He owned several OF the important
real estate properties Of the city.
Until recently he a taken an active
part in community affairs, even though
he had never taken part in political &C
t~ivities. He had been a member OF the
local school boards. n never hesitated
to give his support to every movement
which promised the welfare OF the COM
munity. He was one of the county's most
valued and esteemed citizens.
He was o member of Dillon chapter
No. 16, A. r. and A. M, of st. Elmo Com
mandery and of Bagdad temple, OF the
Mystic Shrine.
He is survived by his widow, two
daughters, Miss Jean Bishop OF Dillor
and Mrs. Leslie Thompson of Twin
Bridges, and two grandchildren, Miss
Lenore Thompson, a member OF the loca'
high school faculty, and Reynolds
Thompson OF Los Angeles.
During his freighting days MIR. Bishop
had many exciting experiences. upon tht
occasion of his 9lst birthday anniversar,
two years ago, he gave to the press al
account of @ trip he once mace IRON
Bannack to Fort Benton with a bul
team.
ION the eighth of May, 1865, / started
from Bannack for Fort Benton aftel
freight" he said. Fort Benton was thu
head of Missouri river navigation. l haS
two wagons and eight yoke OF oxen