Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Hiram BISHOP ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ DEATH OF MR. HIRAM BISHOP. Another of Rock County's very earliest Settlers passes quietly away to his final home. Died. Friday, March 21, '90, Mr. Hiram Bishop, aged 77 years, 5 months and 10 days. Funeral at his late residence on Church Street at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Rev. O. M. Van Swearingen, resident pastor of the Congregational Church, officiating clergyman. The deceased, Mr. Hiram Bishop, was one of the very earliest settlers of Rock County, moving into this city from his farm, about three miles northeast, about five years since, on account of his age and failing health, which prevented him from longer performing the arduous duties connected with farming. But his health continued to fail until he was obliged to undergo a severe surgical operation about two years since, after which he partially recovered and was able to be upon our streets again until recently, when he was taken very ill again with his old kidney trouble, connected with a complication of diseases, which resulted in his death. He has long been a substantial member of the Congregational Church and a man of considerable ability and influence, highly respected by his many acquaintances and neighbors. He leaves a wife and large family of grown up children, all but one of whom we believe are married and in a prosperous condition with families of their own. Since writing the above we learn the following from the family: Mr. Hiram Bishop was born in Saratoga, N. Y., Oct. 11, 1812. At an early age he was left an orphan. He was married to Miss Clarissa O'Connor Oct. 20, 1839. Soon after their marriage they moved to Janesville, Wis. About the year 1846 they bought a farm on the Galena road, three miles west of this town; exchanging this farm Mr. Bishop located near Union in 1856. His wife died April 18, 1870. Nine children were born to them, namely, daughters Amelia E., Sarah L., Alice V., Ada J., and Arabella J., the latter dying in Oct. 1879, sons James W., Charles C., Hiram, Jr., died in Jan. 1861, at the age of eleven years and Albert A. Mr. Bishop was a member of the Congregational Church. The first and only male member at the time this church was organized at Janesville, Nov. 30, '72. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Hough. By this marriage his youngest son, Arthur, now aged sixteen years, was born, who was the only child present at the time of his death. Of these children Amelia E. and Charles C., both of Neenah, Wis., Alice V. O'Connor, of Brandon, Wis., Albert A., of Sibley, Iowa, Ada J. Fisk, of Kenosha, Wis., and Arthur, the youngest son, will be present at the funeral. The remains will be interred by the side of those of his first wife in the Evansville cemetery. March 28, 1890, the Enterprise, p. 1, col. 6, Evansville, Wisconsin Bishop--Died Mr. Hiram Bishop, whose health has been poor for sometime, died at his residence on Church street, at 10 o'clock Friday evening, March 21, 1890, at the age of 74 years. He was buried from his late residence at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. The absent members of his family were telegraphed to and three daughters and two sons were present at the funeral. There were one son and one daughter in California whose distance prevented attendance. Mr. Bishop had been for many years, a member of the Congregational church, and one of its most estimable members. Some two years ago Mr. Bishop had an operation for the gravel but recovered and was often seen upon our streets, enjoying, apparently good health. His wife and a young son survives him. March 25, 1890, p. 4, col. 1, Evansville Review, Evansville, Wisconsin