John Bidwell

Republican Representative of California's 3rd district

Congresses Served

House Terms

August 5, 1819 (80 years old)

Birthday

April 4, 1900

Death

Founder of Chico, California
Emigrated to Alta California at age 22 as part of the Bartleson–Bidwell Party
Became a Mexican citizen and received multiple rancho grants in Alta California
Served in the California Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives
Discovered gold on the Feather River before the California Gold Rush
Attained the rank of major in the Mexican–American War
Supervised the federal census of California in 1850 and 1860
Served as a delegate to the 1860 Democratic National Convention and the 1864 Republican National Convention
Appointed brigadier general of the California Militia in 1863
Involved in building the Humboldt Wagon Road and backing the establishment of Fort Bidwell
Married Annie Kennedy, who was active in the suffrage and prohibition movements
Ran for Governor of California on the Anti-Monopoly Party ticket in 1875 and as the Prohibition Party nominee in 1880
Was the Prohibition Party nominee for President of the United States in 1892
Published his autobiography, “Echoes of the Past,” in 1900
Was a Freemason but left the group, expressing that allegiance to the fraternity was pointless