Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

of the concern from its origin to the pres-
ent time. The product of this concern
was originally faience, a clay tile product
made from the coarser clays like terra
cotta, but finished more carefully and
with color glazes, what now is known as
polychrome terra cotta. This was used
principally in interiors, for mantels, etc.,
and has gradually given place as a product
to electrical porcelain, which the company
now manufactures principally. This
product is shipped all over the country to
manufacturers of electrical apparatus.
The concern is a large one and employs
on an average of about one hundred and
seventy-five hands. Mr. Bishop does not
confine his activities to this individual
concern, however, but is connected with
others as well, among which should be
mentioned the Gray Telephone Pay Sta-
tion Company, in which he has succeeded
his father as director Mr. Bishop is a
prominent figure in the social and club
life of Hartford, and is affiliated with a
number of important organizations in that
city such as the Highland Country Club,
the East Haddam Fish and Game Club,
the Tuesday Night Bowling Club, the
Hartford Canoe Club, and Farmington
Country Club. A glance at Mr. Bishop's
clubs at once suggests the fact that he
is a man of active and athletic tastes and
devoted to out-door sports and pastimes
of all kinds, a suggestion which is en-
tirely correct, as Mr. Bishop finds his rec-
reation in these things.
On November u, 1890, Fred L. Bishop
was united in marriage with Florence
North, a daughter of A. W. North, of
Hartford. Three children were born to
them: Gertrude N., Benjamin L. and
Katherine W. A. W. North, Mrs. Bish-
op's father, was for many years connected
with the firm of Hatch & North, one of
the largest concerns dealing in coal in
Hartford. His death occurred April 18,
1908.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
107
The maternal ancestry of Fred L. Bishop
was a distinguised one and well merits
extended notice here. His mother was
Ann L. Hart, a daughter of Luther
Woodward Hart, of Avon, Connecticut,
and Farmington, Ohio. Her birth oc-
curred October 4, 1842. Luther W. Llart
was born at Avon, June 16, 1796, and
married, in 1819, Almira Gillet, a daughter
of Amos and Esther (Bishop) Gillet.
She was born in 1800, and died in 1852.
They removed to Farmington, Trumbull
county, Ohio, in 1837, and still later, after
the death of his wife, Mr. Hart removed
to Delevan, Faribault county, Minnesota,
where he was living with his son, George
Hart, in 1872, in enjoyment of a robust
and vigorous health.
His father, Gideon Baldwin Hart, was
born at Avon, February 14, 1776. He
married, December 29, 1795, Marilla
Woodford, a daughter of Joseph Woodford,
Jr., of Avon, where she was born
July 7, 1777. They resided east of the
Farmington river and it was on his place
there that his death eventually occurred,
August 31, 1842, and that of his wife,
August 22, 1863.
His father, Gideon Hart, was born at
Farmington, Connecticut, September 11,
1730, married, November 15, 1759, Eliz-
abeth, daughter of William Hart, and a
native of Avon, where she was born
April 9, 1739. Gideon Hart and his wife
were admitted to the church at Farming-
ton, in 1814, and it was there that her
death occurred January r, 1825. He was
a prosperous farmer and his house was on
the north side of the narrow lane leading
to the bridge across the Farmington
river at Cider brook. His death occurred
November 17, 1807.
His father, Joseph Hart, was born in
1700 at Farmington, and he married,
December 6, 1722, Mary Bird, a daughter
of Joseph Bird, Jr., and his wife, Mary
(Steele) Bird. He was engaged in busi-