One of a Thousand/Bidwell, Marshall S.

 

Bidwell, Marshall S., son of Barnabas and Betsey (Curtis) Bidwell, was born August 24, 1824, at South Tyringham, now Monterey, Berkshire county.

After a common school education he continued his studies at the Lenox Academy, and began mercantile life in 1846, since which time his attention has been divided between farming and various mercantile pursuits.

On the 23d of November, 1845, at Monterey, Mr. Bidwell was married to Anna A., daughter of Samuel and Amelia (Bigelow) Tibballs, who died November 4, 1856. Their children were: Hattie A., Amelia A., and Sarah Louisa Bidwell. On the 5th of January, 1858, Mr. Bidwell was again married to Sophia P., daughter of John D. and Luna S. (Welch) Bidwell. Their children are: William S., and Orlando C. Bidwell. The last four are still living, Hattie A. dying in 1866, aged twenty years.

For many years Mr. Bidwell has held various town offices in his native place, Monterey, where he still resides, and is at present chairman of the board of selectmen. He also represented his district in the General Court in the year 1881, and has been an ardent laborer with the Y. M. C. A., and an earnest supporter of religious and philanthropic institutions.

He is a descendant of the Rev. Adonijah Bidwell, first pastor of the church at Monterey. He is the heaviest tax-payer in his town, his property being largely invested in real estate.