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Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Edmund Ward Bishop, one of Rolla’s oldest citizens and most highly esteemed men, is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., born in 1820, and is the son of Morris and Merab (Botsford) Bishop. Morris Bishop, a native of Connecticut, born about 1774, was a teacher of music and penmanship, and a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1825. His wife was born near Jordan, N. Y., on the Erie Canal. Edmund W. Bishop was but five years of age when his father died, and he was taken by an uncle, with whom he remained two years. The uncle then died, and young Bishop went to work on a farm for Jeduthan Roe. He was to receive board, clothes and three months’ schooling for his services. At the end of eight years he had received but fifty-three days’ schooling, and was old enough to see the necessity of a thorough knowledge of books, consequently he demanded the fulfillment of his contract, and was refused. Being of a determined nature he left for Coudersport, Potter Co., Penn., where his mother and brother lived, reaching there just in time to see his mother die. This was in 1836. The distance was over 300 miles, and young Edmund made the journey, the greater portion of the way, on foot. He worked three years as a carpenter, and during fall and winter months attended school at Coudersport Academy. At the end of three years he taught school for three months, for $10 per month, boarding round with parents of pupils. The following two years he attended school at the academy, working nights and mornings to pay his board, at the end of which time he taught the village school three months for $45 per month. After completing his school term he attended one term at Batavia High-school. The following summer he hired as ax-man for an engineer corps, making a preliminary survey of the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad. His next work was to superintend the rafting and selling of lumber for Ives & Dykes, taking their rafts down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati. In six months he became clerk and supply agent, and after two years’ faithful service the company failed, and Mr. Bishop lost all his wages. In 1848 he received a contract on the Canisteo division of the New York & Erie Railroad, which he completed under discouraging circumstances, owing to limited condition of money matters, but realized fairly on his contract. For the following sixteen years Mr. Bishop continued as railroad constructor, contractor, and assisted in building the Buffalo & Niagara, Hamilton & Toronto, Catawissa and the Williamsport & Elmira Railroads. In 1855 he went to St. Louis, and became employed on the St., Louis & San Francisco Railroad, working on this road for four years. He then disposed of his interest in the contract, and became a citizen of Rolla, where he immediately took steps looking to the improvement and prosperity of the town. He speculated largely in real estate, donated land for the county seat, superintended the building of the court-house and jail, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Rolla. He assisted in the organization of the Rolla Flouring Mills, superintending the erection of the same. He was also one of the originators of the National Bank of Rolla, and is one of its directors. He is a stockholder in the Rolla Woolen Mill, and has been a member of the school board and city council. He was president of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society during its existence, and was appointed and afterward elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the School of Mines, donating 160 acres of land and his time for the purpose. In 1861 and 1862 Mr. Bishop was major of the Enrolled Militia stationed at Rolla, being appointed by Gov. Gamble. Gov. McClurg appointed him a member of the Mining Bureau, and in 1876 Gov. Hardin appointed him president of the Centennial Commission of Phelps County, also appointing Mrs. Bishop of the ladies’ department on the same commission. October 21, 1858, he married Miss Jane Sellard, daughter of James and Judith Sellard, of Bradford County, Penn. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Jennie, wife of John P. Harrison, deputy circuit clerk of Phelps County; Julia, wife of Joseph Pool; Flora, wife of W. W. Wyshon, and Edmund W., Jr. In politics Mr. Bishop was a Democrat before the war, and since that time has been a Republican. He was a delegate to the national convention at Philadelphia in 1868, and has been a delegate to every State convention in Missouri since the organization of the Republican party. In 1876 he was nominated for the Legislature, running ahead of his ticket, but the county being largely Democratic he was of course defeated. He is a prominent temperance worker, is a member of no church, but is a firm believer in Christianity. Starting in life for himself at the age of sixteen, without means, and possessed of but very little education, Mr. Bishop has amassed a comfortable fortune, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county. He owns large tracts of land and fine property in Rolla, which he has accumulated by his marked business capacity, skillful financiering and economy. He has lost thousands of dollars by going security for his friends. Since the war he has paid $20,000 in taxes.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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