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42
NEW ORLEANS ILLUSTRATED.
His father commanded one of the magnificent steamers of the Hudson Eiver Association, at that time the largest combination of steamboats in the world, aud at the age of fourteen years young Bidwell accepted a berth on his farther’s boat. This life he followed for eight years, plying between New York, Albany aud Troy. This was an excellent sclionl for one who was destined to cater for the public, and his knowledge thus gained—for through it he met all classes, rich and poor, proud and lowly, the educated, the refined, and the rough and ready— has served him in later years, enabling him to gather success in a business where so many have failed.
When he left the river Mr. Bidwell opened a restaurant 011 Nassau street, opposite the Post office, in New York, which he conducted successfully for about eighteen months.
After this he fitted up the famous Empire House, named after a favorite steamboat of the day. This house became the headquarters of the celebrities of
that time, and from it originated the Empire Club, of which Mr. Bidwell was first secretary, and to which was due, in a large measure, the election of President Polk.
Mr. Bidwell came to New Orleans in November, 1846, and engaged in the ship chandlery business, in the Triaugle Buildings, with his brother Mr. Harry Bid-well, the firm being H. Bidwell & Oo. The firm did a large and successful business, having, besides a good trade from ordinary sources, the supplying of the Government transports for the Mexican war. In 1850 they bought what is now so well-known and widely popular as the Phcenix House, and in 1852 Mr. David Bidwell withdrew from the firm, and with the late Mr. John Daniels refitted and furnished the Phcenix. Mr. Daniels soon retired, and Mr. Bidwell continued the business alone. In 1855 he bought the property.
The original Academy of Music was built in 1853, aud until 1855 was conducted as an amphitheatre, and then as a theatre, Mr. Bidwell always being the leading spirit connected with it. In 1856, Mr. Bidwell formed a copartnership with Dr.