EDWARD FOWLER BISHOP

Watching the trend of events, taking cognizance of conditions and improving his opportunities, Edward Fowler Bishop has won for himself a position in the foremost ranks of the real estate men of New Haven, developing a business of extensive proportions. He makes his home in Guilford, where he was born March 11, 1852, a son of Elisha Chapman and Charlotte G. (Fowler) Bishop. Nine generations of the family have been represented in Guiford, where the original American ancestor, John Bishop, a native of England, settled at the time the village was founded in 1639, he being one of the original settlers. He was the second person of the twenty-five who signed the Plantation Covenant June 1, 1639, on the passage over from England. He was one of the four who at the first had the sole direction of the affairs of the colony until the foundation of the church. His home lot, containing eight acres, fronted on the east side of the Green at about the center. 'Die line of descent comes on down through John Bishop (I), John Bishop (II), John Bishop (III). David Bishop (I), David Bishop (II), Jonathan Bishop (I), .Jonathan Bishop (II) and Elisha Chapman Bishop. The last named was the father of Edward F. Bishop and was born April 10, 1824, in Guilford, remaining upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years. He then began learning the machinist's trade, which he afterward followed in Guilford on his own account. In 1861 he began operations in the oil fields at Titusville, Pennsylvania, where he remained for ten years, meeting with substantial success. He returned to Guilford in 1870 and then took up the occupation of general farming. In 1874 he built one of the finest homes in Guilford and equipped it in a most modern manner. In politics he was originally a republican but afterward became a prohibitionist. He was an ardent supporter of the abolition party from the time that he reached his majority in 1845. In 1883 he represented his town in the state legislature and he held various local offices. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church. On the 5th of July, l846, he married Charlotte G. Fowler and they became the parents of twelve children, six of whom are living: Robert Allen; Edward Fowler; Mary Cornelia, the wife of N. G. White, of Hartford, Connecticut; Eva B., the wife of Edward M. Leete, of Guilford; Ida, the wife of William J. Canfield, of New Haven; and Marilla Canfield, the wife of F. C. Spencer, of Guilford.

Edward Fowler Bishop pursued his education in the schools of Guilford to the age of eleven years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Titusville, Pennsylvania, and was there graduated from the high school. He was a clerk in the Merchants & Mechanics Bank of Titusville until 1874, when he returned to Guilford and in 1878 he removed to New Haven, where he purchased a half interest in a blacksmith and horseshoeing shop owned by Charles E. Palmer. The firm of Palmer & Bishop was thus formed and Mr. Bishop continued in the business for twenty-one years, after which he retired, being succeeded by his son, Frederick Chapman Bishop, who conducted the business as owner for five years. On the expiration of that period he in turn was succeeded by Charles Edward Bishop, who incorporated the business under the name of the Bishop Horseshoeing Company. This business is located on George street in New Haven and has been one of the profitable industries of the city. When Edward F, Bishop retired from blacksmithing he turned his attention to the real estate business in New Haven and afterward admitted his son, Frederick C., to a partnership, since which time their interests have been conducted under the firm style of Edward F. & Frederick C. Bishop, with offices at No. 865 Chapel street in New Haven. Mr. Bishop is one of the foremost real estate dealers of the city. His foresight and sagacity enabled him to foresee the future development of the city and his in-vestments were accordingly made. He bought property at a comparatively low figure and with the growth of New Haven the property has greatly enhanced in value. In 1907 he removed to Guilford and took up his residence in the old Bishop homestead opposite the Green at the corner of Broad and State streets, this being the finest and largest res-idence in Guilford.

In 1878 Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Anna G. Spencer, of Guilford, a daughter of Diodet Spencer, who was a native of Connecticut. They became the parents of three children: Edna Fowler, the wife of Leon M. Bemis, of New Haven, who is associated with her father in the real estate business and by whom she has two children, Louise Gardner and Leona Bishop; Frederick Chapman, who is his father's partner and who married Mary Ware Williar, of Baltimore, Maryland, by whom he has two children, Frederick Ware and Edward Williar; and Charles Edward, who is president and treasurer of the Bishop Horseshoeing Company of New Haven. He married Elizabeth Palmer Norman and has one child, Dorothy Elizabeth. On the 19th of May, 1897, at Detroit, Michigan, Edward F. Bishop was married to Miss Edith Emily Ashley, who was born in England and in her childhood days went to Sarnia, Canada, with her parents, George and Matilda (Grant) Ashley, who were natives of England. Her father, now deceased, was a banker of Sarnia, Canada. Mrs. Bishop is one of the social leaders of Guilford and is very active in behalf of many benevolent interests and public projects, being now president of the Red Cross auxiliary. In politics Mr. Bishop is generally a republican but supported President Wilson in the last election. He has never aspired to office but was elected the head of the borough board of Guilford by fellow townsmen who were anxious to secure certain civic improvements, including the building of sidewalks, the establishment of electric lights and other interests which have been of great benefit to the community. Mr. Bishop took the initiative step in bringing about those improvements and his labors were crowned with success. He belongs to the First Congregational church and is a member of St. Albans Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; of Crawford Council, R. & S. M., of Fairhaven; of Pulaski Chapter, R. A. M., of Fairhaven; of New Haven Commandery, K. T.; and of Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Bridgeport. He enjoys the respect and confidence of those around him and has contributed in substantial measure to business progress and development, his life record being an indication of what may be accomplished through personal activity. Such a record should serve to inspire and encourage others. His business affairs have ever been capably con-ducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense and guided by resistless will power, are his chief characteristics.