William Bishop – Brian Brooks

William C. “Billy” Bishop

Obituary (1953) | Road Trip For Harding (1922) | Human Interest Angle – Arthur Pryor (1944)

Billy Bishop was Nana’s Mother’s brother.

Obituary

“BILLY” BISHOP, POPULAR LOCAL RESIDENT, DIES

William C. “Billy” Bishop, 74 years old, one of Fayette county’s best-known citizens and a life-long resident of Connellsville, died at Connellsville State Hospital at 5:10 o’clock this morning.

Prominent in Republican politics and active in music circles, he had in early life been engaged in the restaurant business.

On January 25, 1952, Mr. Bishop suffered a skull fracture when struck by an automobile in South Pittsburg street in front of the First Baptist Church. He never recovered from the effects of the injuries. For a number of months after the accident, he was a patient in the Hospital.

“Billy” Bishop had an unusually large number of acquaintances and he had a cheerful greeting for everyone.

Active in music circles, “Billy” was a charter member of the Connellsville Local of the American Federation of Musicians. For many years he was a member of the Connellsville Military Band and served as its business manager. He played with a number of bands in the area. For years he was active in the promotion of professional entertainments, being responsible for the appearance in the locality of many outstanding performers.

Mr. Bishop was active for many years in Republican party politics. He held various positions in county offices. He was a deputy sheriff when Thomas Howard was sheriff of Fayette county, a clerk in the treasurer’s office during the tenure of John P. Adams, and served in the office of the clerk of courts during the term of Robert Clifford.

As early as 1902, Mr. Bishop engaged in business in Connellsville, operating restaurants in various locations. His first place of business was situated on the present site of the Second National Bank. At another period he was in the same type of business in the basement of the Title & Trust Building.

In 1914, he disposed of his restaurant and motored to the Paci—
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“BILLY” BISHOP, POPULAR LOCAL RESIDENT, DIES
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…fic coast with Steward Stillwell, now of Uniontown, formerly of this city, and Harry Workman.
In 1919, Mr. Bishop became deeply interested in the candidacy of Warren G. Harding for president of the United States. In support of the presidential candidate he made a cross-country motor tour. He was accompanied on this venture by his aunt, Katherine Bishop, now deceased, and a cousin, Virginia Jane Bishop (Mrs. Joseph Moreland of this city). Inscriptions on the vehicle urged voters across the Nation to cast their ballots for the Republican nominee.
On their eastward bound journey, Mr. Bishop took a southern course and arrived in Florida after the election. The President-elect and Mr. Bishop met there and Harding expressed his warm appreciation for the efforts exerted in his behalf. The car appeared somewhat battered by the extensive tour.
“Do you think your automobile could stand another trip like that?” Harding asked, eyeing the car with a puzzled expression.
Gifted with ready wit and repartee, Mr. Bishop replied without hesitation, “It will stand another trip if Harding runs again.”
The friendship that began between the two men in Florida continued until the President’s death on the West coast.
“Billy” was born on November 30, 1878, a son of the late Samuel and Louisa Crossland Bishop. He lived here all of his life.
Surviving are a brother, Sergeant J. Carl Bishop of the Connellsville Police Department, a half-sister, Mrs. Naomi Fort of Carmel, Cal., a niece, Mrs. Kenneth Brooks of this city, and a nephew, Albert Means of Pittsburgh.
The funeral service will be held at Munk’s funeral home in East Fairview avenue at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon with Rev. George D. Massey officiating. Burial will take place in Hill Grove Cemetery.

Road Trip For Harding

August 11th 1920

August 12th 1920

August 13th 1920

August 14th 1920

Billy Bishop meeting Evangelist Bob Jones 2-6-1940

Human Interest Angle

Billy Bishop meeting President Harding on two occasions 6-27-1942

Sidelights and Comment on Happenings Here and There.
Arthur Pryor’s Death Recalls He Played Local Man’s Song on Program
The death the other day of Arthur Pryor, bandmaster, composer and “the world’s greatest” trombonist, recalls an incident involving a local man—William C. Bishop, chief air warden here.
Pryor and his band were at Miami, Florida, in 1920, playing at Miami Park. Billy was there, too, and made the acquaintance of the great bandsman. Another individual wintering at the resort whom Bill met was Charles Pavia of New York. They got their heads together and wrote a song, “The Man of the Hour.” One Mutcher, piano accordion soloist, arranged the band music for the song. Having become pretty well acquainted with Mr. Pryor, Bill suggested he play it at one of his concerts. Pryor agreed and included it on one of his evening programs.
In the meantime Bill and Pavia had formed the Miami Music Company, which had the song published as a march. It sold like hot cakes, said Billy—hundreds of copies, much of its popularity having come about through Pryor having set it going. The “music company” neglected to have the song copyrighted. Eventually the company passed out of existence. Miami was not then what it is today as a wintering place. “We were suckers we did not stick to that name” and in the business, said Billy, looking back over the two decades.
Billy, it will be recalled had been to California and return with his aunt, Mrs. Catherine Bishop, and Virginia Bishop (now Mrs. Joseph B. Moreland of South Connellsville), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Bishop of East Apple street. All the way to the Golden State and back the Bishop car carried a banner boosting Warren G. Harding for the presidency. The party stopped at the Harding home at Marion, Ohio, and Billy was photographed with Mr. Harding. The President-elect was at Miami the latter part of 1920 and Billy again met up with him and has photographic evidence thereof.
What impressed Billy most about Arthur Pryor was that he readily agreed to play his and Pavia’s song. It was because he was a great man and a great musician, he thinks. Had he been of the common run he probably would have turned down the request.