John Bidwell | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Mathew Brady c. 1860–1865 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | James Johnson |
| Member of the California Senate from the Sacramento district | |
| In office December 17, 1849 – January 6, 1851 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Alonzo W. Adams |
| Alcalde of Mission San Luis Rey | |
| In office August 1846 – January 1847 | |
| Appointed by | John C. Frémont |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 5, 1819 Chautauqua County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 4, 1900 (aged 80) Chico, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Chico Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic (Before 1861) Republican (1861–1875) Prohibition (after 1875) |
| Other political affiliations | National Union (1861–1868) People's Independent (1875) Anti-Monopoly (1875) |
| Spouse | |
| Residence | Bidwell Mansion |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States.svg){kind=small} California Republic |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | California Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
John Bidwell (August 5, 1819 – April 4, 1900), known in Spanish as Don Juan Bidwell,[1] was an American pioneer, politician, and soldier. Bidwell is known as the founder of the city of Chico, California.
Born in New York, he emigrated at the age of 22 to Alta California (then a part of Mexico) as part of the Bartleson–Bidwell Party, one of the first expeditions of American emigrants along the California Trail. In California, he became a Mexican citizen and a prominent landowner, receiving multiple rancho grants from the governors of Alta California. Following the U.S. Conquest of California, Bidwell went on to serve in the California Senate and then in the U.S. House of Representatives.