[1] Born in a log cabin in Houston, Minnesota, on October 22, 1899, Bidwell was the eldest of seven children.

Bidwell attended the University of Minnesota and served on the Columbia County Board of Supervisors for ten years.

During his years in the Wisconsin State Legislature, Bidwell earned the reputation as an "Irishman with a short fuse and an inability to carry a grudge for very long.

[5] On the November 2, 1982 Senate Election day against Russ Feingold, Bidwell was declared the winner by a 19 vote margin.

[5][6] Bidwell died at Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, Wisconsin, on January 7, 1991, from unspecified causes.