The c. 1900 newspaper clipping includes three Bidwells, F.E. (Frank) G.A. (George Albert) and W.L. (William). Frank and George Albert are two of the three sons of Seth Bidwell. William is a son of George Albert.
In 1834 Seth came to Brighton Township from Orlean County, N.Y. That first winter he stayed with friend Benjamin Blain who had come the year before, from Orlean County and built a log, two story house on a lake. In September 1835, Seth bought 80 acres in Section 5 and 80 in Section 8, where, within a short time, he built his home on the south side of McClements Road. This house is still standing and being cared for.
By 1895 George Alfred owned 80 acres in Section 9, the Auld Nest, also still standing. Brighton Sand and Gravel is located on most of the remaining property. George was mustered out of Co. E. 24th Infantry on June 30, 1865, along with his neighbors, Milo Crawford, Charles E. Durfee and Joseph T. VanAmberg, after serving in the Civil War. Shortly after he and Wealtha Jane Clark married. After her death in 1887, Will married Mary Blaine. By 1920 they lived at 232 S. Third and conducted the Brighton Realty Business. A Brighton Argus news item reports that the company had bought the Manny Crout Farm north of Brighton and they planned to camp out there during harvest time. About eight years earlier George was passing the time of day with Hans Reidel in town when a runaway team ran from the mill and west on Main Street, running over the men. Both survived although George had head lacerations. The wagon and harness was completely smashed before the team was stopped. His obituary, a few years later, states Will had built ” . . . more buildings in Brighton Township that any others.”
Frank E. Bidwell’s Maple Race Farm (still a few maples left) straddles Pleasant Valley Road in Section 27. After Roy and Ada Conely married they moved to Frank’s farm for a while. They probable helped with the farm since Frank was a teacher for a while. He was also a director of the Livingston Mutual Telephone company and sold insurance.
By 1875 Will Bidwell and Co. are noted as owning 140+ acres in Section 4 & 5. His “The Oaks Farm” was located on Old, Old 23 (Taylor Road.) Beautiful homes are now in the Orchard Estates development. One can still find the Bidwell name in the local directory.
Compiled from county atlases, Charboneaus obituaries, Wests scrapbooks, and 1880 History of Livingston County, Marieanna Bair.