John Bidwell
Born: August 5, 1819
Birthplace: Ripley, Chautauqua County, New York
Father: Abraham Bidwell 1769 – 1842
(Buried: Martin Cemetery, Drake County, Ohio)
Mother: Clarissa “Clarisy” Griggs 1779 – 1853
(Buried: Martin Cemetery, Drake County, Ohio)
Wife: Annie Ellicott Kennedy 1839 – 1918
(Buried: Chico Cemetery, Chico, California)
Political Party:
Democratic Party, Republican Party, Anti – Monopoly Party and Prohibition Party
Occupation before War:
School Teacher in Ohio for one year and in Missouri for two years
Crossed the Rockies and Sierra’s during the first overland expedition
Ranch Hand on the ranch of John A. Sutter in Sacramento Valley, California
Engaged in mining north of Placerita Canyon, California
Discovered gold on the Feather River
Served in the Mexican–American War, rising to the rank of Major
1849 – 1851: California State Senator
Owner and Rancher of Rancho Arroyo Chico, California
1850: United States Census Supervisor in California
1860: United States Census Supervisor in California
1860: California Delegate to Democratic Party National Convention
Civil War Career:
Brigadier General of California State Militia
1864: California Delegate to Republican Party National Convention
1865 – 1867: United States Congressman from California
1865 – 1867: Chairman of House Agriculture Committee
1865 – 1867: Member of House Pacific Railroad Committee
Occupation after War:
Official Host to President Rutherford B. Hayes at his home
Official Host to General William T. Sherman at his home
1875: Unsuccessful Candidate for Governor of California
Strong Advocate for the Temperance Movement
1880: Unsuccessful Candidate for Governor of California
1888: Chairman of Prohibition Party National Convention
1892: Prohibition Party Candidate for President of United States
1892: Received 271,058 Votes for President of United States
1900: His Autobiography Echoes of the Past was printed
Died: April 4, 1900
Place of Death: Chico, California
Age at time of Death: 80 years old
Burial Place: Chico Cemetery, Chico, California
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