Lewis C. Bidamon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis Crum Bidamon
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| Born | January 16, 1806 |
| Died | February 11, 1891 (aged 85) |
| Resting place | Smith Family Cemetery, Nauvoo, Illinois, United States |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Sebree (1827–?) Mary Ann Douglas (1842) Emma Smith (1847–1879) Nancy Abercrombie (1880–1891) |
| Children | 5–6 |
Lewis Crum Bidamon (born January 16, 1806 – died February 11, 1891) was an important leader in the Illinois militia. He helped the Latter Day Saints during a conflict called the "Battle of Nauvoo" in 1846. A year later, in 1847, Bidamon married Emma Smith. She was the widow of Joseph Smith, who founded the Latter Day Saint movement. After their marriage, Lewis Bidamon became the stepfather to Joseph Smith III and Emma's other children.
Contents
Early Life and Military Role
Lewis Bidamon was born in Smithfield, Virginia. When he was 14 years old, his family moved to Highland County, Ohio. Later, he moved again to Canton, Illinois. In 1846, the Latter Day Saints began to leave Nauvoo, Illinois. Around that time, Bidamon moved to Nauvoo himself.
He was a lieutenant colonel in the 32nd Regiment of the Illinois militia. This means he was a high-ranking officer. He played a role in trying to stop the violence happening against the Latter Day Saints. Because of his position, people often called him "Major" Bidamon.
Family Life and Marriages
Lewis Bidamon married Nancy Sebree in 1827. They had four children together. After Nancy died, he married Mary Ann Douglas in 1842. However, this marriage lasted only six months. He moved to Nauvoo after his second marriage ended.
Most Latter Day Saints followed Brigham Young and moved to the Salt Lake Valley in what is now Utah. But Emma Smith chose to stay in Nauvoo. Her first husband, Joseph Smith, had died in 1844. On December 23, 1847, Lewis Bidamon and Emma Smith were married in Nauvoo. A Methodist minister performed the ceremony. At that time, Bidamon had two daughters who were still living. Emma had five children who survived.
Lewis Bidamon was not a Latter Day Saint himself. He respected Joseph Smith but did not believe he was a prophet. Bidamon had been raised as a Lutheran. He also helped start a Congregational church in Canton, Illinois. But generally, he did not consider himself a very religious person.
Later Life and Business
Lewis Bidamon traveled to California during the California Gold Rush. This was a time when many people went to California hoping to find gold. During the American Civil War, he served as a major and colonel in the Illinois militia.
He lived in Nauvoo for the rest of his life. He was elected many times as a justice of the peace and a police magistrate for the city. These roles meant he helped keep law and order. Bidamon was also a businessman. He ran several different businesses in Illinois and along the Mississippi River.
The Bidamons lived in the Joseph Smith Mansion House. Joseph Smith had started building this house before he died. In 1871, they moved to the Nauvoo House. Bidamon changed this building into a smaller home they called Riverside Mansion. Both Emma and Lewis Bidamon lived in the Nauvoo House until they passed away.
In 1864, Lewis Bidamon had a child with Nancy Abercrombie, a widow who had recently moved to Nauvoo. After Emma died in 1879, Lewis Bidamon married Nancy Abercrombie. He was married to her until his death. Lewis Bidamon was buried at the Smith Family Cemetery in Nauvoo.
Bidamon's personal papers are kept at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California.
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Lewis Crum Bidamon
