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Arthur Bidle

Birth	:	21 Feb 1852 Quincy, Adams County, Illinois, USA
Death	:	14 Jan 1910 Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.8891983, -117.3494034
Plot	:	Block 1, 1st Addition, Lot 68, Grave 3
Description	:	Arthur's adult life has proven to be better documented than his childhood and early adulthood. Until recently, his parents and siblings remained a mystery due to a change in the spelling of their last name. The change was made by his father, Arthur, Sr. (1828-1912), who changed the spelling from Bidle to Bitle after residing in this country for 21 years. Arthur, Sr. fathered 22 children. His first wife, Mary Jane Parvin (1827-1867), bore 10 children and died at age 39. Arthur, Sr., married Carolyn Dickhut (1849-1925) in 1867 and it was at this point in his... Read More	Arthur's adult life has proven to be better documented than his childhood and early adulthood. Until recently, his parents and siblings remained a mystery due to a change in the spelling of their last name. The change was made by his father, Arthur, Sr. (1828-1912), who changed the spelling from Bidle to Bitle after residing in this country for 21 years. Arthur, Sr. fathered 22 children. His first wife, Mary Jane Parvin (1827-1867), bore 10 children and died at age 39. Arthur, Sr., married Carolyn Dickhut (1849-1925) in 1867 and it was at this point in his life that he changed the spelling of his last name. He and Carolyn went on to add 12 more children to the family. His Bidle siblings are: Anna M, William H, Albert J, Andrew, Mary Elizabeth, Emma, Benjamin F, Lincoln and Clara His Bitle siblings are: Adolf, Emmett, Edith M, Orville, Ada, Joseph E, Alfred, Frederick, Elsie, James H, Edna, Albert Arthur was born 21 Feb 1853 in Quincy, Adams, Illinois to Arthur Bidle and Mary Jane Parvin. The earliest record for Arthur Bidle Jr is the 1860 US Census. Per that document, Arthur "Bydle" (32) and Mary J (33) were raising their children, Anne M (10), William H (9), Arthur (8) and Andrew (Albert) J (6) on the family farm. Arthur Sr. was apparently wealthy given that his land was valued at $12,000 which is quite a fortune in 1860 for a young man of 32. In 2009, the relative worth of $12,000 from 1860 is $319,000 using the Consumer Price Index. His birth country is listed as Prussia and they are living among many other families from the Germanic regions. California & Marriage When we next catch up with Arthur, it is 1870 and he has left Illinois for Sonoma County, California. He is living with his older sister, Anna, and her husband, Pleasant C. Smith and their son, Eddie, who was born earlier that same year. No record of his reason for leaving Illinois has been uncovered but two articles appeared five years earlier in "The Quincy Whig" newspaper, 28 Sep, 1870 and 1 Oct 1870, Circuit Court Section, naming Arthur Bidle in a legal action. "Case 3210 People vs Benham Brady and Arthur Bidle–riot. Continued with capias as to Brady", which means a warrant for Brady's arrest was written. "Case 3210 People vs Bernhard Brady and Arthur Bidle, riot. Defendant Arthur Bidle recognized from day to day, with Bernard Arntzen, Esq, for security in the sum of $300.", which means that Mr Arntzen, Esq, posted bail or paid the fine for Arthur. I looked up Bernard Arntzen and learned that he was an attorney at the time. I was unable to locate more information from newspapers so I made two separate requests to the Quincy Circuit Court for any Case 3210 records they may have in the archives but have received no reply. A family rumor that I personally heard while growing up alludes to some "trouble" in the Bidle family but any details have been lost to time. If this is the source of that rumor, Arthur would have been 17 in 1870, an age where misjudgments are not uncommon. It may have been that he left Illinois to leave behind the embarrassment and start over in California. Laura Ann Gossage Bidle Five years later, Arthur has married the daughter of a prominent Sonoma County, California family, Laura Ann Gossage. Their marriage occurred 9 Sep 1875 in Santa Rosa and is recorded in the Sonoma County Record Book E, page 76, "Laura Gossage married Arthur Bidle in Santa Rosa on 9 Sep 1875 by A. Johnson". Land & Family The 1880 US Census and Agricultural Schedule place Arthur and Laura farming 32 acres in Vallejo, Sonoma, California. Arthur (27) and Laura (23), are raising William (1) and Bertha (4). Five years later, Arthur has moved yet again. This time to Washington Territory where, per the 1885 Washington Territorial Census, A. "Biddle" was farming with his wife, Laura, and raising two children, Arthur and Bertha. The 1889 Washington Territorial Census lists Arthur, Laura, "Bud" (9) and Bertha (13). Arthur is farming and a few months later, on 17 May 1889, he secures a land patent for 160 acres in Whitman County. The 1885 Census, the 1887 Washington Territorial Census and a Washington Territory Land Patent were submitted as evidence of Arthur's residency prior to statehood – 11 Nov 1889. Based on that evidence, Arthur Bidle, and his direct descendants, were awarded Pioneer status by the Washington State Genealogical Society 2 Mar 2010. Conflicting but unverified evidence places the family in Washington in 1881. His obituary in 1910 states that he was a resident of Washington for 27 years which places his arrival in 1883. Why Washington? Questions arise. Why did Arthur uproot his family, take his wife away from her prominent family and locate to Whitman County? Arthur and his father leave few clues as to their motivation. My theory is that Arthur followed his maternal uncle, James Ruark Parvin, from California to Whitman County. We know that James was in Washington by 1880 and prior to moving to Whitman County, he was living in California according to family records. As stated earlier, Arthur, Jr left Illinois and settled in California in 1870, per his obituary, but I have yet to find evidence of when James arrived in California. We can surmise that both men had contact with each other prior to James leaving California for Whitman County (1880) and that contact continued resulting in Arthur moving his family and settling in Whitman County (1883 per his obituary). If one closely studies the Land Patent Map, you will see that Arthur's property (see #32 on map) is not far from James' (see #28 on map). Father & Son It is now 9 Jul 1900. Per the 1900 census, William (Bud) is 20 and working along side his father on the family farm. Bertha married Lawrence Crampton the year before and they have settled in the area. Two articles appear in the Colfax Gazette during the next year chronicling Arthur and Bud's joint efforts raising stock. One article dated 17 May 1901, Colfax, Whitman, Washington states "W.A. and A. Bidle have secured a stock ranch between Salmon and Snake rivers. They will take in about 100 head of cattle." Another article a few months later, 12 Jul 1901, states "W.A. and A. Bidle left early in the week for their stock ranch on the Dumocq plains on Salmon river." Items of Note – 1900 Arthur was awarded second place in the Farmer's Best Display of most varieties at the Palouse Poultry Show per the Colfax Gazette, 9 Feb 1900. According to another Colfax Gazette article, 23 Feb 1900, Court section, Arthur was a claimant in a grain theft from a grain warehouse that held his grain. He was also a shareholder in the grain warehouse. His daughter's father-in-law, C.F. Crampton, was one of the directors of the warehouse company. Another interesting fact is that there are now two documents, the 1860 and 1900 Census, that list Arthur's parents birth country as Germany. The 1880 census listed Illinois. More Land As was stated earlier, Arthur purchased land on the Dumack plain. Another Colfax Gazette edition, dated 25 Oct 1901, mentions in the Personal Mention section that "Mr. and Mrs. A. Bidle, formerly of Spring Flat, are on a business trip to Colfax and vicinity. They now reside at Dumack plains, between Salmon and Snake rivers, Idaho, where they recently took up a cattle ranch." In another land matter, Arthur Bidle deeded part of 31-16-44 to Lawrence A. Crampton, his daughter's husband per the Colfax Gazette, dated 12 Mar 1909. Another Land Patent was granted for 160 acres, 11 Jan 1910, in Idaho – #1352 – SE Quarter of the NW Quarter, the SW Quarter of the NE Quarter, the NW quarter of the SE Quarter and the NE Quarter of the SW Quarter of Section 36 in Township 29 N of Range 1 W of the Boise Meridian, Idaho. Unexpected Death Arthur Bidle – Funeral Notice Arthur died unexpectedly 14 Jan 1910. Per his Obituary in an unnamed newspaper dated Jan 1910: "Death Claiming the Pioneers – In Quick Succession Comes The Calls For Our Old Settlers ARTHUR BIDLE – Mr. Arthur Bidle, one of the early pioneers of this vicinity, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bertha Crampton, on the night of Tuesday, January 14, from heart failure. The end came very suddenly, Mr. Bidle having been in ordinary health but for an attack of cold. The deceased was born February 21, 1853, at Quincy, Ill., and came to California when 17 years of age, marrying there at 24, and moving to Washington in 1881. He lived near White Bird, Idaho, for the past eight years, coming to the Crampton home with his wife during holidays this year. His wife survives him together with one son, W. A. Bidle, of Albion, and one daughter, Mrs Bertha Crampton, of Spring Flat. Mrs. P.C. Smith of Troy, Idaho, and Mrs. M.S. Kiser, of Great Bend, Kansas are his sisters. The deceased also has a father, whose home is in Montana, still living. Funeral services were held at the Crampton residence, and the body was interred in the Colfax Cemetery, January 15th." According to the Doctor's Note on Arthur's Washington State Death Certificate: "I did not see him alive. Death probably due to myocarditis (instantly)". An announcement in the Colfax Gazette was published, 4 Feb 1910, "Estate of Arthur Bidle – Laura Bidle appointed administratrix, bond $9000; and F.W. Hoffman, E. Kelson and W.J. Cunningham appointed appraisers".

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Arthur Bidle's memorial?
Arthur Bidle's memorial is located at: Colfax Cemetery, Colfax, Whitman County, USA.
When did Arthur Bidle death?
Arthur Bidle death on 14 Jan 1910 in Colfax, Whitman County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Arthur Bidle's memorial?
Latitude: 46.8891983
Longitude: -117.3494034

Family Members:

Parent

Arthur Bitle

(1828 - 1912)

Spouse

Laura Ann Gossage Bidle

(1856 - 1941)

Siblings

Annie Maria Bitle Smith

(1849 - 1934)

Emmett Bitle

(1870 - 1939)

Edith Matilda Bidle Chrisman

(1872 - 1947)

Orville O. Bitle

(1875 - 1911)

Joseph Edward Bitle

(1881 - 1935)

Alfred Bitle

(1882 - 1902)

Frederick William Bitle

(1884 - 1954)

Albert “Adolph” Bitle

(1893 - 1905)

Edna Luella Bitle Peterson

(1896 - 1974)

Children

Bertha Mae Bidle Crampton

(1876 - 1920)

William Arthur “Bud” Bidle

(1879 - 1971)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Colfax Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8891983, -117.3494034

2. Lloyd Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8924700, -117.3726300

3. Mount Olivet Cemetery
Colfax, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8739014, -117.2275009

4. McConnell Cemetery
Diamond, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9539830, -117.4686210

5. Bethel Cemetery
Steptoe, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0052986, -117.3460999

6. Albion Cemetery
Albion, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7868996, -117.2518997

7. Saints Home Cemetery
Union Center, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7613983, -117.3478012

8. Elberton Cemetery
Elberton, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9821100, -117.2108300

9. Pitt Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8368988, -117.1588974

10. Eden Valley Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9407997, -117.1472015

11. Ewartsville Cemetery
Ewartsville, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7287000, -117.3178000

12. Onecho Cemetery
Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7503014, -117.4775009

13. Moys Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7299548, -117.4143646

14. Garfield Cemetery
Garfield, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9999100, -117.1498600

15. Coleman Cemetery
Fallon, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8444310, -117.0963620

16. Odd Fellows Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7313800, -117.1908400

17. Greenwood Cemetery
Palouse, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9043999, -117.0686035

18. Whelan Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7785900, -117.1167800

19. Farr Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7262420, -117.1915700

20. Trinity Lutheran Church Columbarium
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7390110, -117.1626180

21. Spalding Cemetery
Almota, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7061005, -117.4633026

22. Zion Lutheren Cemetery
Endicott, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9672700, -117.6388500

23. Pullman City Cemetery
Pullman, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7107353, -117.1739502

24. Dusty Cemetery
Dusty, Whitman County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8107200, -117.6436200