Bidwell, John, 1819-1900

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Bidwell was a noted early Calif. pioneer, landowner, and statesman. He helped form the Western Immigration Society in 1840, which led to the formation of the Bidwell-Bartleson wagon train, the first emigrant train to Calif. He travelled through Utah in 1841, then forged the Calif. immigrant trail. In 1846 he wrote the Bear Flag platform. In 1848, he began buying his ranch, Rancho de Arroyo Chico, also known as Rancho Chico.

From the description of Rancho de Arroyo Chico ledger and related papers, 1840-1900. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122544455

John Bidwell was born in Chautauqua County, New York, on August 5, 1819. He arrived in California in 1841 and was hired by John Sutter to supervise his Russian possessions and property in Bodega Bay and Fort Ross. He became a part of the Bear Flag revolt and served as a major in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War. Bidwell had discovered gold at Bidwell Bar (on the Feather River) in 1848 and became a miner long enough to purchase the Rancho Chico in 1849. He was active in Democratic Party politics until 1861 but was elected to Congress on the Union ticket. He declined nomination for governor of California in 1867, became an unsuccessful candidate for the Independent Party in 1875 and in 1890 (for the Prohibition Party). In 1892, he was nominated for President by the Prohibition Party and received over 270,000 votes. From: Biography/History, Finding Aid - John Bidwell Papers, MS 2, Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

From the description of Autobiography and Reminiscence of John Bidwell, San Francisco, 1904. (The Society of California Pioneers). WorldCat record id: 55979372

John Bidwell came to California in 1841. He owned a large ranch near Chico, California, and was a California congressman from 1865-1867.

From the description of Letter to John Augustus Sutter, 1851, Apr. 2. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 81602623

Bidwell was a Calif. pioneer, landowner, and politician.

From the description of John Bidwell letter : San Francisco, Calif., to W.S. Thomas, in Little Rock, Ark. : photocopy of ALS, 1892 Oct. 14. (California Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 145415296

John Bidwell, born Chautauqua, N.Y., August 5, 1819. California Pioneer, 1841, with Bartleson-Bidwell party. Employed at Sutter's Fort. Purchased Rancho del Arroyo Chico (now city of Chico) in 1849. Agriculturalist, philanthropist. Delegate to California Constitutional Convention, 1849. State Senator 1849-1850. California Representative to Congress, 1865-1867. Candidate for President, 1892. Died in Chico, April 4, 1900.

From the description of John Bidwell (Sutter's Fort Pioneer Collection), 1841-1902. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 58745816

Pioneer landowner in northern California (1841), Bidwell held 22,000 acres near Chico. Was member U.S. House of Representatives (1865-1867). Ran unsuccessfully three times for Governor of California and once, on Prohibitionist ticket, for President of United States (1892).

From the description of John Bidwell Letter, 1850. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 34716549

Pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist, philanthropist, and founder of Chico, Calif.

From the description of John Bidwell letter, 1892 Oct. 14. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 611596929

California pioneer.

From the description of John Bidwell letters, 1895-1899. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 122564831

Pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist and philanthropist; known for leading one of the first emigrant parties, the Bartleson-Bidwell Party, along the California Trail; and for founding Chico, California.

From the description of Dictation from John Bidwell : an autobiography : typescript, [1891?] (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 26270785

John Bidwell came to California in 1841 and participated in the U.S. campaign against Mexico in 1846. He owned a large ranch near Chico and was involved in California politics. He was a congressman from California (1865-1867) and ran unsuccessfully for governor of the state and president.

From the description of John Bidwell letters to E. W. Haskell : ALS, 1867 July 10-Aug. 13. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 122333363

John Bidwell, born Chautauqua, N.Y., August 5, 1819. California pioneer, 1841, with Bartleson-Bidwell party. Employed at Sutter's Fort. Purchased Rancho del Arroyo Chico (now city of Chico) in 1849. Agriculturalist, philanthropist. Delegate to California Constitutional Convention, 1849; state Senator, 1849-1850. California Representative to Congress, 1865-1867; candidate for President, 1892. Died in Chico, April 4, 1900.

From the description of John Bidwell collection, 1841-1917. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 58745817

Biography

John Bidwell was born in Chautauqua County, New York, on August 5, 1819. His father was Abraham Bidwell from Connecticut and his mother, Clarissa Griggs, was from Massachusetts. He later moved, as a child, to Pennsylvania and Ohio with his parents. At age 17, he attended Kingsville Academy and shortly afterwards became it's Principal. In the spring of 1839 he walked and rode to Cincinnati, went down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, then to St. Louis and into the Territory of Iowa. By June of that year, he had reached Missouri with the idea of becoming a farmer. While there, and after having his land claim "jumped," he talked to a Frenchman named Roubidoux, a trapper who had been in California. Bidwell decided to join with sixty-nine others at Sapling Grove (now in Kansas) in May of 1841, determined to cross to a mythical California. The group was joined by Father De Smet and began its journey, first to the Platte River and Fort Laramie, then north to the Great Salt Lake (September). Some ventured on to Oregon with De Smet. Bidwell and others stayed with the California plan. After reaching the Humboldt River, they followed its shoreline to the Walker River at the base of the eastern Sierras. They crossed here, meeting the headwaters of the Stanislaus River, came down that gorge into the San Joaquin and eventually to the Marsh ranch near Mt. Diablo.

John Sutter hired Bidwell and sent him to Bodega Bay and Fort Ross to supervise the movement of equipment purchased by Sutter from the members of the departing Russian colony. When Bidwell returned to Sacramento he joined with Peter Lassen pursuing horse theives north into Thomes Creek (near what was to become Red Bluff). It was on this first rip he got a first look at the Sacramento Valley. He was allotted two land grants by the Mexican government, one in Solano County, the other in Colusa.

Because of his interest in the political process of the American takeover of Mexican California he became a part of the Bear Flag revolt and served as a major under Charles Fremont in the Mexican War. Bidwell had discovered gold at Bidwell Bar (on the Feather River) in 1848 and became a miner long enough to purchase the Rancho Chico from William Dickey in 1849. Here he built his first home (a large adobe) and here he lived except for a brief session as a congressman from 1865-1867.

He was active in Democratic Party politics until 1861 but was elected to Congress on the Union ticket. He declined nomination for governor of California in 1867, became an unsuccessful candidate for the Independent Party in 1875 and in 1890 (for the Prohibition Party). In 1892, he was nominated for President by the Prohibition Party and received over 270,000 votes. Concurrently, Bidwell ran his nearly 23,000 acre ranch, showing considerable knowledge and interest in agriculture and horticulture, especially in his 1800 acres of commercial fruit orchard, and another 400 varieties of experimental growing. Wheat and other grains were his mainstay and later in the century won honors at state, national, and international fairs. Bidwell married Annie Ellicott Kennedy in April of 1868 and brought her to his newly finished Mansion in Chico. She and Bidwell were politically and religiously active among the white population of Chico. Annie was held in esteem by some of the Native American population. This latter group had been protected by Bidwell both during and after the dreadful "roundups" that occurred in the early years of the 1860's.

John Bidwell died on his ranch of a heart attack on April 4, 1900.

From the guide to the John Bidwell Papers, (Meriam Library California State University, Chico)

Biography

John Bidwell was born in Chautauqua, N.Y., August 5, 1819. He came to California in 1841 with the Bartleson-Bidwell party. He was employed at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento and purchased Rancho del Arroyo Chico (now the city of Chico) in1849. An agriculturalist and philanthropist, he was a delegate to the California Constitutional Convention in 1849. He served as State Senator from 1849 to1850 and as California Representative to Congress in 1865/1867. He was a candidate for President in 1892. He died in Chico, April 4, 1900.

From the guide to the John Bidwell Papers, 1841-1917, (California State Library)

Biography

John Bidwell was born in Chautauqua, N.Y., August 5, 1819. He came to California in 1841 with the Bartleson-Bidwell party. He was employed at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento and purchased Rancho del Arroyo Chico (now the city of Chico) in1849. An agriculturalist and philanthropist, he was a delegate to the California Constitutional Convention in 1849. He served as State Senator from 1849 to1850 and as California Representative to Congress in 1865/1867. He was a candidate for President in 1892. He died in Chico, April 4, 1900.

From the guide to the John Bidwell Papers (Sutter's Fort Pioneer Collection), 1841-1902, (California State Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. [Autograph letter signed, addressed to Mr. Davis] Newberry Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Bidwell family papers. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Peter H. Burnett papers, 1849-1885 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell letter : San Francisco, Calif., to W.S. Thomas, in Little Rock, Ark. : photocopy of ALS, 1892 Oct. 14. California historical society
referencedIn John, James, 1809-1886. John James Diaries, 1841-1842. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Bower, Janet Newlan. The Bartleson/Bidwell party : first overlanders to the California frontier : typescript, 1993. California historical society
creatorOf Gillespie, George A. Papers of George A. Gillespie, 1849-1899. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Thomas O. Larkin papers, 1839-1856 Bancroft Library
creatorOf John Bidwell Papers (Sutter's Fort Pioneer Collection), 1841-1902 California state library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Rancho de Arroyo Chico ledger and related papers, 1840-1900. California historical society
creatorOf Bidwell, John W. John W. Bidwell letter : Smith's Bar, Calif. to Miss. E. Boyd : ALS, 1851 July 17. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Hoopes, Chad L. Chad L. Hoopes papers, 196-? UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Monterey Public Library. California History Room. California history, 1822-1845 clippings 1878-1997. Monterey Public Library
creatorOf Dawson, Nicholas, 1819-1903. Nicholas Dawson papers, [ca. 1839-1901]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Crosby, Elisha Oscar, 1818-1895. Letter to J. Wilcoxson, 1857 March 24, San Francisco, California. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf McKinstry, George. George McKinstry Collection, 1816-1890. California state library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell Letter, 1850. University of the Pacific, William Knox Holt Memorial Library
referencedIn John, James, 1809-1886. Journal, 1841 May 16-Nov. 5. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf John Bidwell Papers Meriam Library California State University, Chico
creatorOf Bidwell, Annie E. Kennedy. Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell Collection, 1842-1918. California state library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Autobiography and Reminiscence of John Bidwell, San Francisco, 1904. The Society of California Pioneers - Alice Phelan Sullivan Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell collection, 1841-1917. California state library
referencedIn Irwin, William, 1827-1886. ALS, 1877 July 6 : Sacramento, to Frank Thomas. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858. Thomas O. Larkin papers, 1822-1858. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. A journey to California : Bodega, Port of the Russians, Upper California, 1842 March 30. University of California, Bancroft Library, ARL
referencedIn Sutter, John Augustus, 1803-1880. Letter : to Archibald C. Peachy / by John Augustus Sutter, 1849 Jul 4. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. New Helvetia: Diary of events from 1845-8. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Norris, Thomas W. (Thomas Wayne). Yuba County documents, 1852-1867. California Digital Library
creatorOf Belden, Josiah, 1815-1892. Josiah Belden papers, 1832-1903. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Scraps of two letters to Hubert H. Bancroft, Feb. 7 and May 23, 1884, concerning California pioneers. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Mapa del Valle del Sacramento. [microform]. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Letter to John Augustus Sutter, 1851, Apr. 2. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Sherman, Edwin Allen, 1829-1914. Edwin Allen Sherman papers, 1872-1971, (bulk 1896-1913). UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf John Bidwell Papers, 1841-1917 California state library
referencedIn Cody, Cora Edith. John Bidwell : his early career in California, 1927. California historical society
referencedIn The Society of California Pioneers collection of autobiographies and reminiscences of early pioneers, 1900-1904 Society of California Pioneers
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Dictation from John Bidwell : an autobiography : typescript, [1891?] UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell (Sutter's Fort Pioneer Collection), 1841-1902. California state library
referencedIn Ramsland, Margaret A. The Forgotten Californians : Chico, Calif. : typescript, 1974. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. Deed. California State University, Chico, Chico State
referencedIn Edwards, Philip Leget, 1812-1869. Collection, 1834-1842. Harold B. Lee Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. [Miscellaneous overland accounts to California and Oregon in the 1840s and 50s, compiled by Eugene Compton]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Sacramento Society of California Pioneers. Biography of first Cal. legislature, [1850]. California state library
creatorOf Johnson, Robert Underwood, 1853-1937. Robert Underwood Johnson papers, 1889-1924. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. California, 1841-1848: An immigrant's recollections of a trip across the plains and of men and events in early days, including the Bear Flag Revolution ... : ms., 1877. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Mott, Isaac T. Mott-Von Schmidt family papers, circa 1849-1899. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Reading, Alice M., 1859-1939. Alice M. Reading collection of material relating to her father, Pierson B. Reading, 1930s. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Osborne, Lewis. Lewis D. Osborne letter to Howard Willoughby of Sunset Magazine, 1966 March 22. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
referencedIn Maps of private land grant cases of California, [ca. 1840-ca. 1892] Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell letters to E. W. Haskell : ALS, 1867 July 10-Aug. 13. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf United States. Board of Indian Commissioners. A Treaty of Peace ... made ... near Bidwells Ranch : DS, 1851 Aug. 1. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Hallet, H. Letter to Mr. Morrill : Chico, Calif. : ALS, 1864 Oct. 10. UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Royce, Josiah, 1855-1916,. Documents on the conquest of California : manuscript, [18--] Houghton Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John W. John Bidwell diaries, 1872, 1897. Connecticut Historical Society
referencedIn College of California (1855-1869). Letter book, 1849-1867 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell letter, 1892 Oct. 14. Arkansas History Commission, Department of Archives and History
referencedIn Royce, Charles, 1845-1923. In memorium : John Bidwell. California State University, Chico, Chico State
creatorOf Bidwell, John, 1819-1900. John Bidwell letters, 1895-1899. UC Berkeley Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Altgeir, Nicolaus. person
associatedWith Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918. person
associatedWith Belden, Josiah, 1815-1892. person
associatedWith Benitz, William. person
associatedWith Bidwell, Annie E. Kennedy. person
associatedWith Blake, E. Nelson. person
associatedWith Bower, Janet Newlan. person
associatedWith Burnett, Peter H. (Peter Hardeman), 1807-1895 person
associatedWith Cody, Cora Edith. person
associatedWith College of California corporateBody
associatedWith Covington, E. person
associatedWith Crosby, Elisha Oscar, 1818-1895. person
associatedWith Dawson, Nicholas, 1819-1903. person
associatedWith Edwards, Philip Leget, 1812-1869. person
associatedWith Everett D. Graff Collection of Western Americana (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Farwell, Edward Augustus, d. 1849. person
associatedWith Gantt, John, d. 1849. person
associatedWith Gibson, Samuel. person
associatedWith Gillespie, George A. person
associatedWith Gregory's Express. corporateBody
associatedWith Guill, John H. person
associatedWith Hallet, H. person
associatedWith Haskell, Edward Wilder, 1816-1911. person
associatedWith Hensley, Samuel J. person
associatedWith Hooker, Joseph Dalton, Sir, 1817-1911. person
associatedWith Hoopes, Chad L. person
associatedWith Hunt, Rockwell Dennis, 1868- person
associatedWith Irwin, William, 1827-1886. person
associatedWith John, James, 1809-1886. person
associatedWith Johnson, John Neely. person
associatedWith Johnson, Robert Underwood, 1853-1937. person
associatedWith Johnson, William. person
associatedWith Kelley, John H. person
associatedWith Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 1802-1858. person
associatedWith Leahy, Dan. person
associatedWith Marshall, Henry. person
associatedWith McConkle, Joseph Walker. person
associatedWith McDowell, James. person
associatedWith McKinstry, George. person
associatedWith Monterey Public Library. California History Room. corporateBody
associatedWith Montgomery, Allen, Mrs. person
associatedWith Neal, John. person
associatedWith O'Fallon, William. person
associatedWith Osborne, Lewis. person
associatedWith Ramsland, Margaret A. person
associatedWith Reading, Alice M., 1859-1939. person
associatedWith Roether, Charles. person
associatedWith Rowland, John, d. 1873. person
associatedWith Royce, Charles, 1845-1923. person
associatedWith Royce, Josiah, 1855-1916, person
associatedWith Scott, Felix. person
associatedWith Sherman, Edwin Allen, 1829-1914. person
associatedWith Smith, George Adams. person
associatedWith Society of California Pioneers. corporateBody
associatedWith Sutter, John Augustus, 1803-1880. person
associatedWith Thomas, W. S. person
correspondedWith Thomas, W. S. (William S.), 1828-1910 person
associatedWith Townsend, John. person
associatedWith Trow, Henry. person
associatedWith United States. Board of Indian Commissioners. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. District Court (California) corporateBody
associatedWith W. S. Thomas. person
associatedWith Yates, John. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
California
California--Butte County
California
California--Plumas County
Sutter's Fort (Sacramento, Calif.)
Sutter's Fort (Sacramento, Calif.)
California--Butte County
Rancho Chico (Calif.)
California--Chico
California--Butte County
California
Plumas County (Calif.)
California
California, Northern
Rancho Arroyo Chico (Calif.)
Butte County (Calif.)
California--Butte County
Sutter's Fort (Sacramento, Calif.)
Fort Ross (Calif.)
Bodega Bay (Calif.)
Chico (Calif.)
Chico (Calif.)
Connecticut--Winsted
San Francisco (Calif.)
California
California
California
California
California--Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley (Calif.)
California
California
Subject
Justice, Administration of
Agriculture
Card games
Deeds
Farms
Frontier and pioneer life
Frontier and pioneer life
Gold mines and mining
Gold mines and mining
Hides and skins
Indians of North America
Land grants
Landowners
Land tenure
Missions
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Overland journeys to the Pacific
Patronage, Political
Physicians
Pioneers
Pioneers
Pioneers
Pioneers
Ranching
Ranch life
Ranch life
Tallow
Valley oak
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1819-08-05

Death 1900-04-04

Information

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