 john bidwell (august 5, 1819 â april 4, 1900) was known throughout california and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician, prohibitionist and philanthropist. he is famous for leading one of the first emigrant parties, known as the bartlesonâbidwell party, along the california trail, and for founding chico, california. ==biography== bidwell was born in chautauqua county, new york. the bidwell family was originally from england and came to america in the colonial era.http://books.google.com/books?id=y202aaaamaaj&pg=pa17&dq=john+bidwell+ancestry+england&hl=en&sa=x&ei=aoxlvihueux2iqlz7idwcq&ved=0cdwq6aewag#v=snippet&q=92&f=false the bidwell family moved to erie, pennsylvania in 1829, and then to ashtabula county, ohio in 1831. at age 17, he attended and shortly thereafter became principal of kingsville academy.guide to the john bidwell papers in 1841 bidwell became one of the first emigrants on the california trail. john sutter employed bidwell as his business manager shortly after bidwell's arrival in california. shortly after the james w. marshall's discovery at sutter's mill, bidwell also discovered
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