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From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb August 4, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

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AMIRON E. BIDGOOD

	Amiron E. Bidgood, postmaster of Springdale, Stevens county, 
is a veteran soldier with a war record second, probably, to no other
man in the state.  He is a native of New York, born July 13, 1848,
the son of George W. and Lucinda (Shepard) Bidgood, born and reared 
in Vermont.  Soon after their marriage they removed to Michigan, 
where they lived in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.  The father was
a cooper, which trade he followed throughout his life.  His patriotism
was of a sterling description, and in 1862 he enlisted, but was not
accepted on account of his advanced age.  He is of English descent,
his ancestors coming over in the Mayflower.  The grandfather of Mrs.
Bidgood was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and, also, in the
War of 1812.  They were the parents of five children, three of whom
are still living, viz: Helen, wife of Alonzo Shirley, a veteran of
the Civil War; Matilda and Amiron, the subject of this sketch.
	Until the age of sixteen, the latter attended the public 
schools of his neighborhood, and then, inheriting a patriotic
disposition, he enlisted in the First Michigan Volunteer Cavalry,
July 13, 1863, under Captain Clipperton.  From Detroit he went to
Camp Remount, near Alexandria, Virginia, and from there he joined his
regiment in the field.  he participated in the battles of Trevallian
Station, Culpeper, and various skirmishes in the Shenandoah Valley,
under General George A. Custer, the victim of the Little Big Horn
massacre in 1876.  He was mustered out of the volunteer service at
Camp Douglas, Salt Lake, March 10, 1866.  Returning to Illinois he
worked on a farm until january 23, 1867, and then enlisted in the regular
Army, and was assigned to Company F., Thirty-sixth United States
Infantry.  In 1878 he served on the plains against the Indians, and
was stationed at Fort Bridger and Fort Steel.  Discharged January 23,
1870, he re-enlisted in the regular service, again enlisted in 1876 and
was finally mustered out at Fort Spokane in 1881.
	Mr. Bidgood then located a homestead in Stevens county where he
has lived ever since.  Politically he is a Republican, but the first 
opportunity afforded him to vote was after he had left the army, when
he cast his first vote for President Harrison.  He has one daughter,
Elvira, residing in Stevens county.  Fraternally he is a member of the
G.A.R., the Order of Washington, and the K.O.T.M.  He was appointed 
postmaster of Springdale April 1, 1901, which position he still holds.