California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



WILLIAM BISHOP.� Under California's sunny skies the desert is 
blossoming as the rose, even in a few years wonderful results having been ob- 
tained from barren cactus-covered land, with the aid of man's intelligence 
and a plentiful supply of water. The highly improved forty acres just off the 
state highway, and one and one-half miles south of Selma, owned by William 
Bishop, is but one of hundreds of similar places that, during the past eleven 
years, have been changed from unimproved, almost desert conditions, to pro- 
ductive, well-cared-for acres that are a delight to the beholder. 

William Bishop was born in Clay County, Ky., January 5, 1872, and 
comes from a prominent old Kentucky family. He is the son of Robert and 
Carlina (Brock) Bishop, natives of the Blue Grass State. The father was in 
service during the last year of the Civil War, and the paternal grandfather, 
William Bishop, served on the Union side throughout the entire Civil con- 
flict. The maternal grandfather, James Brock, was a close-communion Bap- 
tist minister, and served in the ministry for a period of eighty-two years. 
He lived to the advanced age of 102 years, and his good wife attained the 
age of 101 years. Although William Bishop's father was a planter in Ken- 
tucky, he never kept slaves. There were five children in the parental home : 
James, Elizabeth, William, Daniel and Sarah Jane. 

While William's schooling was meager, he had a thoroughly practical 
experience in the line of farming, and learned timbering, the lumberman's 
trade and the sawmill business, while a very young man. During the Spanish 
war he volunteered for service from 1898 to 1901, from Kentucky, in Com- 
pany "A" of the Twenty-second Regulars of the United States Infantry. He 
saw service at Santiago, San Juan Hill and practically all other important 
engagements. He was in the battle of Tubochan on the Island of Luzon, 
P. I., and also participated in the Flying Brigade campaign under General 
Lawton, with whom he was personally acquainted. He saw service in China 
and was at Peking and Canton during the Boxer outbreak. While in the 
Philippines he was badly ruptured and disabled for life from overstrain in 
lifting and handling heavy ordnance and munitions. He is allowed a pension 
of ten dollars a month. Notwithstanding this serious disability, his indomi- 
table will and courage enable him In accomplish what few men of his age 
could accomplish in the way of hard daily labor. 

Upon returning to Kentucky in 1899 he was united in marriage with 
Mrs. Nannie Clark, nee Hayes, widow of T. J. Clark, the father of her daugh- 
ter Lucile, who has just been married and is away on her wedding journey. 
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop: George, Fred and 
Billy. 

Mr. Bishop was under medical treatment at the United States Hospital 
at the Presidio for ninety days, and lay at death's door from the effects of 
his injuries. After recovering he took a position with the Fresno Flume and 
Irrigation Company at Fresno for one year. Later he was with the Sanger 
Lumber Company for four years. At the time of his marriage, his wife and 
her daughter Lucile were owners of the forty acres where the family now 
live. They came to the ranch, then almost a desert, in 1906, and the fertile 
soil has responded to the good care bestowed upon it. The place is planted 
to muscats, Thompson's seedless grapes, and Muir and Philip's cling peaches, 
and has 1,300 feet of underground tiling for irrigation purposes. 

Two years ago Mr. Bishop built a fine bungalow, and they have a beauti- 
ful, modern country home. Despite physical disability and hard work, Mr. 
Bishop radiates the genial spirit that his warm hearted impulses prompt, and 
he never loses an opportunity to do a kindly act. He and his wife mingle in 
the best social circles and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, at Selma. 

Mr. Bishop is an active member of the Spanish-American War Veterans 
and was a delegate to the State Encampment of that organization held in 
Fresno, April, 1918. He is also a member of the Raisin Growers Association, 
and has demonstrated his loyalty to his country by the liberal purchase of 
Liberty bonds.