Much has been said concerning progress that has been made along industrial and commercial lines but in no field has it been more rapidly made than in connection with agricultural pursuits. Up to a century ago the same methods of farming were in vogue that had been followed through centuries. Then came an era of revolution through the invention and introduction of modern farm machinery and the scientific study of crop production. Since taking up farm work on his own account Burton Walter Bishop has kept in close touch with the trend of modern development and improvement and is today one of the representative agriculturists of Guilford. He was born in Orange, New Haven county, January 25, 1867, a son of Walter Goodrich and Nancy Maria (Leete) Bishop. The father was born in Meriden in 1827 and was a son of Martin and Sylvina (Bradley) Bishop. The former was in turn a son of Benjamin Bishop of North Haven. Walter Goodrich Bishop was a molder by trade and in 1871 he removed to Guilford, where he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in the West Side district of Guilford until the time of his demise. His wife was a daughter of Rufus N. Leete, who in turn was a son of Miner and Lucinda (Norton) Leete, the former a descendant of Governor William Leete. The Leete family has been represented in Guilford since the original settlement was made here.

  Burton Walter Bishop acquired his education in the district schools of Guilford, being but four years of age when his parents took up their abode on the West Side. He also attended the Guilford town school and the Guilford high school. Following his graduation from the latter he concentrated his efforts on farming on the old Bishop farm on the West Side of Guilford, on the Boston post road, and here he has since remained. He has made many improvements upon his land in the way of erecting modern substantial buildings and also in the methods whereby he cultivates his fields and his farm is one of the most highly improved and developed farm properties in Guilford. He specializes in the production of corn and the improvement of seed corn, for which he finds an extensive sale. He also carries on dairying and has a fine herd of dairy cattle. His dairy is managed in a most sanitary manner and the product finds a ready sale. He is thoroughly progressive in all that he does, is alert, energetic and resourceful, and he has made a deep study of agriculture, operating his farm along a strictly business basis and according to the most scientific methods.

  On the 17th of March, 1892, Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Lillian Ruth Remington of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She was born in Lee, that state, but was educated in Great Barrington. Her advantages enabled her to become a successful teacher and she made an excellent record in this connection in the Guilford school. She is a daughter of George F. and Helen M. (Bullard) Remington, the former a native of Becket, Massachusetts, and the latter of Ohio. By her marriage Mrs. Bishop has become the mother of six children: Rufus Walter; Helen Mariette, who is a graduate of Smith College; Arthur Frederick; Charles Remington; Grace Louise; and George Burton.

  Politically Mr. Bishop is a republican. He has served on the town school board, has been grand juror and is now serving as justice of the peace. He and his wife are members of the First Congregational church, in which Mrs. Bishop takes an active part. Mr. Bishop belongs also to St. Albans Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., of Guilford; to Menuncatuc Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F., of which he is one of the oldest members; and to Hollis Encampment, I. O. O. F. He likewise has membership in Pomona Grange, No. 5, of New Haven county, and in the State and National Grange organizations, and he is a member of the Guilford Agricultural Society. He takes a most active interest in farmers’ organizations, attending various conventions and thus keeping in touch with the trend of modern progress and improvement along agricultural lines. He justly ranks with the most prominent, resourceful and capable farmers of eastern New Haven county.