1832 - 1910

Attorney & Newspaperman

JOURNALIST AND POLITICIAN DIES

Prominent Mason and Pioneer Newspaperman of California Passes Away

OAKLAND. April 26.— -Amasa Wright Bishop, who for years had been a prominent character in civic,
political and literary activities in this city, San Francisco, and northern California, died at
Livermore yesterday afternoon, following several months' illness brought on by old age. He was 77
years old and practically blind at the time of death.

Before the coming of the Cleveland regime Bishop served one term as postmaster of Oakland,
preceding J. J. White in that office. Later he was twice elected as justice of the peace, also
serving as a member of the city council. Before he came to Oakland Bishop was editor and publisher
of several newspapers In the northern part of the state, and in later years was prominently
connected with both the Tribune and the old Daily Transcript of this city.

Bishop is the author of "Kentuck," a California^ romance of the early days, which has been declared
by many one of the best works of fiction dealing with this state. He was a life member of Live Oak
lodge No. 61. .F., and A. M., of this city and a member of Oakland commandery No. 11, Knights
Templar, and Oakland chapter No. 36, R. A. M.

The decedent was born at Wallingford, Vt., August 18, 1832. He was admitted to the bar in 1857. In
company with Philip H. Emerson he founded a paper called the Local Spy at Wallingford, which
marked, his first step in journalism. Bishop came to California In 1559. After spending
considerable time in the mining and mercantile business in Red Bluff and Marysville he founded the
Semiweekly Independent at Red Bluff, the first paper in northern California to take dispatches from
the pony express, before the establishment of the telegraph service.

In 1860 he succeeded to the position of district attorney of Tehama county. He became a leader in
the republican party of that community. He went to Chico in 1865, taking over the Weekly Courant.
In 1869 he went to San Francisco, becoming editor of the Masonic Mirror and superintendent of
bonded warehouses. In the same year he made his residence in Oakland.

The funeral will be held at the Masonic temple tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Bishop's wife
survives him.

from:
San Francisco Call, Volume 107, Number 148, 27 April 1910