Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 547 - 548

William B. Bidwell, a prosperous and well-known agriculturist of Adams county, residing in new Haven township, was born at Waukesha, Wisconsin, December 23, 1841, and was the son of John F. and Lydia P. (Barker) Bidwell.

The father of our subject was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, New York, September 16, 1809. He went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1835, and a short time afterward moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he remained, engaged in farming until 1845, when he settled at Omro, Winnebago county, Wisconsin. He moved to Easton township, Adams county, in 1855, and entered claim on one hundred and twenty acres of land which he improved. He cleared and broke sixty-three acres which he successfully tilled. Those were pioneer days and supplies were hauled from Portage, Wisconsin, but he overcame the difficulties of life in a new country and helped to bring that region to its present prosperous condition. He was married January 1, 1833, to Miss Lydia P. Barker, who was born in De Kalb, St Lawrence county, New York, January 22, 1812. Four children were born of this union as follows: Mary S., who married M. C. Bushnell, and who died January 30, 1860; Harriet A., who married D. F. Stone, and is now residing in the state of Washington; Virnal A., now residing in Easton township, Adams county; and William B., our subject.

When a lad of fourteen years William B. Bidwell came with his parents to Easton township, Adams county, Wisconsin, where he worked with his father, improving a tract of wild land, which was purchased of the government. He received a good common-school education, and was an industrious, steady young man. He came into possession of his father's farm, where he remained until 1888, making many substantial improvements, and by perseverance and energy became a successful farmer. In 1888 he was chosen overseer of the Adams County Poor Farm, where he remained six years, gaining the confidence of the people and the kindly feeling of the inmates. By his suggestion many improvements were made, and his management was a success, which is attested to by the fact that he was again offered the position by the county poor commissioners at an advance of salary, which he declined. He had grown tired of the perplexing cares which the inmates entailed upon him, and following the longing for the peace and quiet of private life he retired from the management of the poor farm, and purchased eighty acres of fertile land on section nine in New Haven township, where he is meeting with success. He engages in diversified farming, and his estate, although not as large as others in the vicinity is among the best.

Mr. Bidwell was married October 1, 1862, to Miss Adelia A. Colver, a native of Toronto, Canada, who was born May 20, 1846. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell, as follows: Delephene S., who married Perry Cavanaugh, and now resided in Lincoln township, Adams county; Virnal, who died in infancy; Carrie S., who married Fred Colver, and now resided in Montana; and Marion L., now Mrs. Frank Coon of New Haven, Adams county.

Mr. Bidwell is a public-spirited man, taking an active interest in the educational matters of his district, and has served many years as a school officer. He represents the township of New Haven on the county board, and is an active member, taking a firm stand for the right on all popular measures. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, and in political faith is a Republican, and has always advocated the principles of that party.