James A Bidwell

Submitted by Phyllis Dorothy Purdy

Published in the Adams County Times

Another of Adams county's civil war veterans passed to rest in the death of James A Bidwell of the town of Easton, which took place Friday evening, October 8, 1926. Mr Bidwell attained his ninetieth birthday anniversary the day before his death and for some months previous had been growing more feeble. The following sketch of his life is compiled from data which he himself furnished:

Mr Bidwell was born October 7, 1836, in the town of Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, the son of Philander and Caroline Bidwell. At the age of seven years he moved with his parents to Rochester, New York, where they lived until 1845, when they came west and located at Janesville, Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood.

On February 16, 1860 he was married to Mary Alverson. Two children were born to this union but both of them died in infancy. In 1863, he and his wife moved to the town of Easton, as did his parents at the same time. His grandparents were already residents of Easton, which was the principal reason that bought James and his parents to this county.

In the year 1864, he responded to a call for volunteers and joined the army that was fighting for the preservation of the union. His enlistment was on August 18, 1864, and he was assigned to Company K, 38th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. They were first mustered in at Madison and from there sent to the front. The first actual fighting experienced by him was at Petersburg, Virginia, where his regiment took an active part. He served to the close of the war and then came home to Easton. In 1866 his wife Mary died.

October 7, 1868, he was united in marriage to Eunice Gibbons, who survives him. Five children were born to this union of whom died in infancy. The living children are Willis Bidwell, who resides at Marshfield, one daughter, Lenora, now Mrs Herman Kurth of Easton, and a son, George, living at the parental home.

During all his many years of life in this county Mr Bidwell has held the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He served his township as its treasurer for seven years. In his death the community loses a worthy citizen and a good neighbor. His family may find comfort in the fact that he died inthe ripeness of years, honored by all about him.