George R. Bidwell
George R. Bidwell was a bicycle salesman and manufacturer, and Collector of the Port of New York from July 14, 1897 to April 3, 1902.
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. He was kept in the post by the subsequent president, Theodore Roosevelt, and remained Collector until 1903.
