George R. Bidwell: Difference between revisions
m categorization/tagging using AWB |
|||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
{{Uncategorized|date=June 2017}} |
{{Uncategorized|date=June 2017}} |
||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bidwell, George}} |
|||
Revision as of 13:12, 21 June 2017
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
George R. Bidwell was a pioneering bicycle salesman and manufacturer. From July 14, 1897 to April 3, 1902, he was Collector of the Port of New York.
Biography
Bicycle salesman
Bidwell was born in Buffalo, New York.[1] He saw his first bicycle at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and soon bought one for himself. Bidwell later inquired to Albert Augustus Pope, a prominent bicycle manufacturer, about becoming a bicycle salesman. Pope told Bidwell about his new Columbia bicycles, which Bidwell promptly ordered. Bidwell proved to be a successful salesman, and Pope named him as Superintendent of Agencies.[2] In 1880, Bidwell became one of the charter members of the newly-formed League of American Wheelmen.[1] In 1881, Bidwell moved to New York City to sell bicycles at E. I. Horsman's sporting goods store at Pope's request and was replaced as Superintendent of Agencies by Elliot Mason.[3] At a conference of the League of American Wheelmen, Bidwell saw a modern safety bicycle, a Rover designed by John Kemp Starley. Bidwell recommended that Pope start production of their own safety bicycles, but Pope refused. Bidwell subsequently left Pope to start his own bicycle company.[4]
Political career
As a member of the League of American Wheelmen, Bidwell had lobbied for laws protecting cyclists.[5][1] In 1894, Bidwell became secretary of the New York Republican County Committee, and served in said position for two years. Afterwards, Bidwell took over Republican operations in the Nineteenth Assembly District.[1] In 1897, Bidwell was appointed as Collector of the Port of New York by President William McKinley. In 1901, new President Theodore Roosevelt decided to replace Bidwell with New York State Senator Nevada N. Stranahan, against the wishes of Senator Thomas C. Platt.[6] Bidwell's term in office officially ended when Stranahan was confirmed in April 1902.
References
- ^ a b c d "COLLECTOR GEORGE R. BIDWELL". Harper's Weekly. New York: Harper & Brothers. July 17, 1897.
- ^ Epperson, Bruce (2010). Peddling Bicycles to America: the rise of an industry. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland and Company. p. 65.
- ^ Epperson, p. 68
- ^ Epperson, p. 84
- ^ McCullough, Robert L. (2015). Old Wheelways: Traces of Bicycle History on the Land. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT Press. p. 188.
- ^ "George R. Bidwell In Town". The Washington times. Washington, DC. 18 November 1901. p. 3. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
 | This article has not been added to any content categories. Please help out by adding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles. (June 2017) |