BackGround: Boston Temple, Boaton Massachusetts.
Up Dated 14 February 2008
Russell was born 29 April 1815 in Le Roy, Genesee, New York and married, first 14 February 1841 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, Mary THOMSON. She was born 1817, in England and died 12 April 1861, in Flint, Genesee, Michigan. He married second about 1863, in Flint, Genesee, Michigan, Mary E FRANKS the daughter of Edward A. and Eliza FRANKS. She was born 10 Sep 1838 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, and died 18 Sep 1867, Flint, Genesee, Michigan. He married third about 1870 Mary Frances GREEN, the daughter of Judge Sanford Moon GREEN and Mary A. McKNIGHT. She was born 6 January 1836 in Rochester, Monroe, New York, and died 23 June 1916 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan. Russell died 5 August 1896 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties,
Chapman Bros.
Pages 857 - 858
RUSSELL BISHOP. The gentlemanly and scholarly President of the Genesee County Savings Bank is one of the men of the city of Flint who has used his wealth in bringing into his home the choicest productions of literature and art and these chef d' euvres are brought together with such charming taste as to please the most fastidious. Mr. BISHOP is a native of LeRoy, Genesee County, N.Y., and was born April 29, 1815. He is a son of Giles and Phebe (WAITE)1 BISHOP, both natives of Connecticut. The former was reared on the farm between Hartford and New Haven, but at an early day settled as a pioneer in LeRoy and there became owner of a large tract of land. He served in the War of 1812 and in 1830 came to Oakland County, Mich., and took up a large tract of land.
The following year Mr. BISHOP brought his family by way of the lakes to Detroit and thence by team to Oakland County and located on the old military road. He purchased several large tracts of land, their first home in the State being a log house. He was a Justice of the Peace and also Postmaster at Springfield, Oakland County. His decease occurred in Flint when sixty-six years of age. He was a man of great activity and large ambitions. Our subject's mother died in Oakland County. Both she and her husband were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of four children:2 Griswold, Russell, Giles and Lucia, deceased.
Mr. BISHOP was reared and educated on the farm in LeRoy. He attended the village school until sixteen years of age. Before coming to Michigan he assisted his father in clearing the land and in building the log house. He much enjoyed the hunting, which was very fine at that time. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, and in 1835 went to Green Bay, Wis., thence to Milwaukee which was a small village. Thence he proceeded to Chicago by stage, going by way of Ft. Dearborn and the old Lake House. Thence he went to Joliet and returned to Chicago and purchased some property with the expectation of settling there, but being taken sick sold his land and came back to Oakland County.
Our subject assisted his father as Deputy Postmaster and was Justice of the Peace and presided over two or three suits. In the spring of 1837 he came to Flint which has been his home ever since. At first he engaged in the grocery and general merchandise business, his goods being all brought hither from Detroit. He built a store on Saginaw Street and carried on business there until it was burned, then purchased a place on the corner of Kearsley and Saginaw Street, where the Fenton Block now stands. He here continued until 1850, then sold out the business to his brother and because of ill health took a trip to Mexico and Texas, following the Mississippi River to the Gulf, landing at Galveston and thence making the interior trip by horseback.
In 1851 our subject returned to Flint, much improved in health. The same year he went to England in order to attend the World's Exposition at London. The trip to Liverpool occupied seventeen days. After spending five months in London he returned to his home much benefited in health. April 4, 1853, he was appointed by Franklin PIERCE, as Receiver of public money at the General Land Office at Flint, which was one of the three stations in the State at that time. He was obliged to furnish bonds for $200,000. He was also disbursing agent at the same time. The business was one of great responsibility and he has frequently paid out $100,000 in gold at one time.
In 1854 the lands in this district were granted by Congress, making them at the following prices: $0.12 1/2, $0.25, $0.50, $0.75, and $1.25. A great deal of it was bought up at $0.12 1/2. He then engaged in the real estate business and his interests were devoted to this exclusively until the organization of the bank. In 1838 he built the main part of his residence, clearing the lot from the heavy timber with which it was covered. Since that time he has added two wings. His home is located at No. 710 Beach Street. He spends a great deal of his time in New York City, himself and family usually passing two months of each year in the metropolis.
Mr. BISHOP was first married in Flint to Miss Mary THOMPSON, an English lady whose birth place was Kendall Green, a sister of Col. THOMPSON. By this marriage he became the father of three children:3 Russell, a graduate of the law department in the University of Michigan; Lizzie, now Mrs. Judge STEVENS, of Port Huron and Arthur, Assistant Cashier of the Genesee County Savings Bank. On the decease of his first wife our subject selected as the lady of his choice Miss Mary FRANKS, a native of Detroit. She too passed away and he contracted another marriage at Bay City with Miss M. Frances GREEN, a daughter of Judge GREEN, one of the oldest ex-judges of the Supreme Court of the State. One daughter has been born of this union4 - Florence Russell who resides at home. Mr. BISHOP is a Democrat in his political affiliations. He is one of the oldest settlers of the county and undoubtedly the oldest resident of Flint.
Note1The original article states that his mother is Phebe VAN WARRING which is incorrect
Note2His father Giles had several other children who died young that are not mentioned in this sketch
Note3Russell and Mary had several other children who died young that are not mentioned in this sketch
Note4Russell and Frances had several other children who died young that are not mentioned in this sketch
[See children listed below for the other children found. RF]
BISHOP, MARY E
Date of death: 14-Sep-1867
Ledger Page: 117
Record Number: 134
Place of death: 3d Ward Flint
County of Death: Genesee
Sex: Female
Race: Not Recorded
Marital Status: Married
Age: 24 years 8 days
Cause of Death: MISCARRIAGE
Birthplace: DETROIT MICH
Occupation: Not Recorded
Father's Name: Last name not recorded, EDWARD A
Father's Residence: Not Recorded
Mother's Name: Last name not recorded, ELIZA
Mother's Residence: Not Recorded
Date of record: 30-Jul-1868
Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century.
Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography
page 420
[p.420] GREEN, SANFORD MOON, lawyer, jurist, author, was born May 30, 1807, in Rensselaer county, N.Y. He was elected to the Michigan state senate for two years, receiving the election in 1845. In 1848 he was appointed a judge of the supreme court, and performed the duties of circuit judge for ten years. He subsequently served as circuit judge for nearly twenty-five years. He is the author of A Treatise on the Practice of the Circuit Courts of Michigan; A Treatise on the Practice of the Courts of Common Law of Michigan, in two volumes; A Treatise on Townships and the Power and Duties of Township Officers; and A Treatise on the Nature, Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Crime.
1870 Census Flint 3rd Ward, Genesee, Michigan, Page 188
R Estate Personal Where
Name Age Sex Race Occupation Value Value Born
BISHOP Russell 56 M W Money Broker $ 75,000 $ 75,000 New York
" Russell R 21 M W Lawyer -------- -------- Michigan
" Arthur G 18 M W At Home -------- -------- Michigan
DUGGAN Nora 18 F W Domestic Servannt -------- -------- Michigan
SMITH Mary 20 F W Domestic Servannt -------- -------- Michigan
1880 Census Flint 3rd Ward, Genesee, Michigan, Page197C
Mar | Place of Birth |
Name Race Sex Age Relat Sta Occupation |Self Father Mother|
BISHOP Russell W M 66 ----- M Real Eatate Agent N. Y. N. Y. N. Y.
" Mary F W F 42 Wife M Keeping House N. Y. R. I. N. Y.
" Russell H W M 31 Son S Clerk in Store Mich. N. Y. N. Y.
" Florance R W F 4 Dau S ----------------- Mich. N. Y. N. Y.
REARDON Helen W F 25 Other S Servant Ire. Ire. Ire.
CHILDREN of Russell BISHOP and Mary THOMSON:
G51. 1. RUSSELL T. b: 23 Nov 1843; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 9 Oct 1844; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
G52. 2. EDWARD b: 15 Aug 1845; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 4 Sep 1846; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
+ G53. 3. SARAH ELIZABETH b: 1847; , Genesee, Michigan.
md: 10 Jun 1869; , Genesee, Michigan.
Herman Walter STEPHENS.
d: 1904;
G54. 4. ELLEN J. b: 15 Apr 1849; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 23 Apr 1849; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
G55. 5. RUSSELL H. b: 15 Apr 1849; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 16 Jul 1882, Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
+ G56. 6. ARTHUR GILES b: 24 Sep 1851; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
md: 24 Sep 1880; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
Carrie E. SPENCER.
d: 22 Jan 1944; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
G57. 7. MARY THERESA b: 14 May 1855; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 11 Apr 1861; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
CHILDREN of Russell BISHOP and Mary E FRANKS:
G50. 0 None found
CHILDREN of Russell BISHOP and Mary Frances GREEN:
G58. 1. PERCIVAL M. b: 25 Jul 1872; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 25 Aug 1874; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
G59. 2. PERRY b: Abt 1873; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
d: 20 Sep 1875; Canada, Genesee, Michigan.
G60. 3. FLORENCE RUSSELL b: 1875; Flint, Genesee, Michigan.
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