The grandfather of the subject of this biography was Ebenezer Bishop, a native of Lisbon, Conn., who removed in later life to North Woodstock, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until his death in October, 1834. He married Sarah Lyon, whose six children were: Amasa, Hezekiah, Elisha, Ebenezer, Tabitha and Delia. Hezekiah, of this number, was born December 2d, 1804, in North Woodstock, where he engaged in farming and participated actively in the affairs of the town until his death, which occurred in 1863. He married Martha D., daughter of Captain Judah Lyon, a citizen of much prominence in his day. The children of this union were: Sarah L., Ebenezer, Anna M. and Esther E.
Ebenezer, the only son, was born February 19th, 1841, in North Woodstock, where his early years were mainly spent. He became a pupil of the Woodstock and Plainfield Academies, and completed his studies at the State Normal school, after which for a brief period he engaged in teaching. In 1861, on the call of the government for troops for the suppression of the rebellion, he left his duties on the farm and enrolled his name as a member of the First Connecticut Cavalry, continuing for three years in the service. He experienced all the trying vicissitudes of a soldier’s life, and participated in the following engagements: Second Battle of Bull Run, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Leesburg, Chantilly, Culpepper court House, South Mountain, Port Republic and Waterford, where he was made a prisoner. He served a term of nearly sixteen months as prisoner in the stockade prison at Andersonville, and in Savannah, Millen, Libby and at Belle Isle. During the seven months of his incarceration at Andersonville he endured all the privations and horrors inflicted upon the Union prisoners by the infamous Captain Wirtz, and witnessed daily the death of one hundred and fifty or more men, from hunger, exposure and cruelty. His rugged constitution enabled him to survive these horrors and effect an exchange, after which he returned to his home and has since been engaged in farming.
Mr. Bishop as a republican represented his town in the Connecticut legislature in 1872. He has been interested in the cause of education and was for several years acting school visitor. He has also been for a long period justice of the peace, and participated actively in the affairs of the town. He is a member of A. G. Warner Post, No. 54, Grand Army of the Republic, and one of the present delegates from Connecticut to the national convention to be held at Milwaukee. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Third Congregational church of Woodstock and has for many years been on the society committee, and the committee on supplies.