ANDREW JACKSON BIDWELL

The Mulvane News, Thursday, April 6, 1916. Pg. 1

Vol. XXXV, No. 2

OBITUARY

  Andrew Jackson Bidwell was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June 10th 1824, and died in Mulvane, Kansas, April 4th, 1916, aged 91 years, 6 mo. and 24 days.

  He moved with his parents to Wabash county, Indiana, when near fifteen years of age.  In the year 1850 he was married to Sarah Buffington of the same county, the couple continuing to make Indiana their home until coming to Kansas  in 1872, where they arrive in the fall, settling on a relinquishment in the edge of Cowley county seven miles east and one south of the present town of Mulvane, residing there until about twenty years ago, when they removed to this city.  After more than sixty-two years of traveling life’s way together, his wife died May 22, 1912, and since that time he has made his home with his children.  There were nine children born to this union, five of whom are now living.  The two daughters are Mrs. Ada Quyle of Chicago, and Mrs. F. J. Parrett of this city with whom he was making his home at the time of death.  The three living sons are Bens, of this place, S. E. of Altus, Oklahoma, and Charley of Wichita.  There are forty grand-children and six great-grand children and six great-great-grand children—eighty-two direct descendents in all, and most of those who are mature are more than six feet in heighth.  The funeral service will be held this afternoon at two o’clock from the local Christian church, Elder D. T. Broadus of Wichita in charge.  The remains will be tenderly carried to their last resting place by six of his stalwart grandsons—all brothers—a remarkable occurrence in itself.

  The deceased was for more than forty years a faithful member of the Christian church.  The only order to which he belonged was that of the G. A. R. he having earned the right to membership there by reason of service in Co. F, 153RD Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

  “Daddy” Bidwell, as he was lovingly called by his old friends and neighbors, was a genial soul, and one that never failed to have a jovial answer to every sally that was made at him.  He retained his fine mental faculties to the last, and his giant body finally wore out before that of his smile and his brain.  We will miss him but would not wish him back.  Rest in peace, old Comrade!