BIO:  Simon S. BISHOP, Littlestown, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 417

SIMON S. BISHOP, justice of the peace, notary public and farmer, Littlestown, 
was born on a farm, adjoining the southeastern part of Littlestown, February 10, 
1817.  He is a son of Philip Bishop, Jr., a son of Philip Bishop, Sr., a native 
of Lancaster County, who bought the farm (where our subject was born) of 183¬ 
acres, in 1809, for œ2,300.  Philip Bishop, Sr., died in 1831, and Philip, Jr., 
in 1856.  Our subject was reared near Littlestown, and in 1841 began keeping 
store there, in a building that still stands just opposite the Catholic Church.  
After conducting this store three or four years he sold out, and in 1845 bought 
forty acres of the old homestead, where he now resides.  Since the above date he 
had been engaged in farming and attending to the duties of the various offices 
he has filled as Democrat.  In 1865 he was elected a justice of the peace; is 
the present incumbent; and has filled the office ever since the above date, with 
the exception of four years.  During his official career he has tried between 
600 and 700 different cases.  In 1867 he was elected burgess of Littlestown, and 
in 1868 was commissioned as a notary public by Gov. Geary; again commissioned by 
Geary; once by Gov. Hartranft; and, lastly, twice by Gov. Pattison, under which 
commission he is now serving.  Squire Bishop was married in September, 1842, to 
Catherine Stonesifer, a daughter of Solomon and Susan (Swope) Stonesifer, old 
settlers of this county, and both deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have one child, 
Laura Virginia Bishop, who lives at home with them.  Mr. Bishop was a member of 
the United Brethren Church for forty years, and a trustee of the said church, 
built by his grandfather, Philip Bishop, Sr., and deeded to trustees for a 
preaching place for the United Brethren Church and other purposes.  About this 
time the pompous presiding elder of the United Brethren Church had grown a 
little too big for his boots, thought he ought to have entire control of the 
church property, and, by his under officials, made demands on Mr. Bishop for the 
title papers, which were, however, refused.  They then resorted to litigation, 
in which they also failed.  Mr. Bishop is at present trustee; holds the title 
papers, and will hold them; but since the agitation he, with his family, have 
worshiped elsewhere.