The following material was submitted by Irene Hale hale@reborn.com.

Thomas Bishard, a well known and highly respected resident of the county, died last night at 9:15 o'clock at the family home, eight miles north of the city. Death came suddenly and was due to a stroke of apoplexy. He ate a hearty supper and seemed to be in his usual health at that time.

Mr. Bishard had lived on the place at which he died for fifty-four years, having come there from Cambridge, Oh with his parents in the year 1858. At that time there were few houses near their home and the place was a wilderness. The family was a large one, and all spent their time at work on the farm. The deceased enlisted in Co. A 6th Kansas Cavalry, and served during the Civil War. He was the company musician, and since being a member of the local G.A.R. he had served as the post drummer. He was an active member of that order.

In 1869 Mr. Bishard married Frances Clevenger and to this union were born six children, four of whom, Dudley, of South Little street, Merton of Humboldt street, Richard of near Hammond, and Hershal who lives at home, survive. One daughter, Lulu, died fifteen years ago, and a son, Theodore, was a fireman on the Frisco and was killed in the Godfrey wreck eight years ago. The wife died about seventeen years ago and about thirteen years ago Mr. Bishard married Miss Jennie Connor with whom the above children survive. A brother, Levi, lives at 218 Florten street, and two other brothers are in the western part of the state.

The deceased was one of the most widely known residents of the county. He was a member of the Methodist church.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home conducted by Rev. P. B. Knepp. Burial will be made in Maple Grove cemetery and the G.A.R. post will officiate.

Note: Thomas Bishard Civil War Pension application papers state that he was in Co. A 6th Kansas Infantry, not cavalry. He married JESSIE Connor, not Jennie.

DECLARATION FOR AN ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION
Under Act Approved June 27th, 1890
This must be Executed before some Officer having a Seal.

State of Kansas, County of Bourbon, ss.

On this 27th day of August, A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety personally appeared before me Clerk of the District Court a Notary Public or Clerk of a Court within and for the County and State aforesaid Thomas Bishard aged 41 years, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Thomas Bishard who was ENROLLED as a private on the 21st day of July, 1861, in Company "A" of the 6th regiment of Kansas Vol Inf and was honorably DISCHARGED at Camp Deitzler Ks on the 7th day of March 1862; That he is now suffering from a physical disability of a permanent character, which is not the result of his own vicious habits or misconduct, which incapacitates him from the performance of manual labor to such a degree as to render him unable to ear a support By reason of chronic disease of the throat, Rheumatism and lame back supposed to be from disease of kidneys

That he has not been employed in the military or navel service otherwise than as stated above. That he has not been in the military or naval service of the United States since the 7th day of March, 1862. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the ----- of -------- in the State of Kansas. That he is now almost wholly disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States, under Act of Congress, approved June 27th, 1890. He hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation, O.A. CHENEY, of Fort Scott, Kansas, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has never received or applied for a pension; that his residence is near Hammond and that his post office address is Hammond Bourbon Co Kansas.

/signed/ Thomas Bishard

Also personally appeared John Seever residing at Fort Scott Kansas and Charles N. Wilson residing at Fort Scott Kansas persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Thomas Bishard the claimant sign his name (make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. That they have been acquainted with claimant for 30 & 30 years.
/signed/ John Seever
/signed/ Charles N. Wilson

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of August, A.D. 1890 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words --------- erased, and the words ----------- added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
/signed/ J. B. Baylice (hard to read)
Clerk District Court

Thomas' 2nd wife is Jessie Bishard (I believe maiden name Conner).

In the matter of claim for Pension of Jessie Bishard Widow of Thomas Bishard late soldier Company A 6th Regt Kansas Infantry

Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid county and State came Jessie Bishard Widow of Thomas Bishard Late soldier Company A 6th Regiment Kansas Infantry person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: I am the widow of Thomas Bishard and I had not contracted a previous marriage before I was married to Thomas Bishard and we lived together as Husband and wife until his death. I further declare that my post office address is Fort Scott County of Bourbon State of Kansas, and that I have interest in said case, and am concerned in its prosecution.
(signed) Jessie Bichard

Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this 29 day of September 1916, and I hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing affidavit were fully made known and explained to the affiant before swearing thereto, including the words (nothing written here) added, and the words "no and not" erased that the affiant is to me well known and a respectable and worthy of full credit, and that I have no interest direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
(signed) James M. Stanley Notary Public, my commission expires Dec 6th 1919

CLAIM 1080997
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF KANSAS
COUNTY OF BOURBON

In the matter of claim for Pension of Jessie Bishard Widow of Thomas Bishard soldier Company A Sixth Kansas Infantry

Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid county and State came Elizabeth Lifer age 55 years Post Office Fort Scott Kansas RFD No. 6, person of lawful age, who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I was well acquainted with Francis Bishard Just wife of Thomas Bishard who died some time in July 1897 I was present soon after Francis Bishard died and helped prepare the body for Burial and was present at the funeral and saw her buried. I cannot give the day and hour that she die but know that she died in July 1897 and I know that Jessie Bishard has not contracted a marriage since the death of Thomas Bishard and is Now a Widow.

I further declare that my post office address is Fort Scott County of Bourbon State of Kansas, and that I have no interest in said case, and am not concerned in its prosecution.
Signed Elizabeth Lifer.

Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this 26 day of February 1917, and I hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing affidavit were fully made known and explained to the affiant before swearing thereto, including the words July added and the words August erased that the affiant is to me well known and respectable and worthy of full credit, and that I have no interest direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
(signed) James M. Stanley, Notary Public. My commission expires Dec 6 1919

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF KANSAS
COUNTY OF BOURBON

In the matter of claim for Pension of Jessie Bishard Widow of Thomas Bishard Late soldier Company A 6th Kansas Infantry

Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid county and State came Rose Cline age 51 Resident of Fort Scott Kansas and Mary L. Bradan age 56 Resident of Fort Scott RFD No. 3 persons of lawful age who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

I am the sister of Thomas Bishard and know that his first wife died and I was at the funeral and saw her buried and I know that my Brother Thomas Bishard and his first wife had not been previously married and that claimant and Husband lived together as Husband and Wife. /s/ Rose Cline

I lived a Near Neighbor to Thomas Bishard and I know that the first wife of Thomas Bishard died and is Buried in Maple Grove Cemetery and I know that Thomas Bishard is and Jessie Bishard is the widow of Thomas Bishard and I know that Jessie Bishard Lived together until his death as Husband and wife.
/s/ Mary L. Braden

our further declare that our post office address is Fort Scott County of Bourbon State of Kansas, and the we have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
(Signed again) Rose Cline
(Signed again) Mary L. Braden

Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this 23 day of September 1916, and I hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing affidavit were fully made known and explained to the affiant before swearing thereto, including the words [nothing written here] and the word [nothing written here] erased that the affiants are to me well known and are respectable and worthy of full credit, and that I have no interest direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
(signed) James M. Stanley, Notary Public. My commission expires Dec 6 1919

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