Annie Ellicott Kennedy was born in Meadville Pennsylvania, June 30, 1839 to Joseph and Catherine Morrison Kennedy. Her family moved to Washington D.C. when she was nine years old as her father had been appointed director of the U.S. Census. After marrying John M. Bidwell a California pioneer, Union General, and congressman April 16, 1868, Annie moved out west to Rancho Chico, Butte County, California. She was involved in church and Indian affairs, philanthropy, civic involvement, the temperance and suffrage movements. She was a devout Christian and member of the Presbyterian Church. She commissioned the Presbyterian Church in Chico. She was an advocate for the local Mechoopda Indian affairs religion and education. In honor of her late husband Annie donated 1,900 acres of land in 1905 and in 1911 another 301 to the City of Chico for public use, know as Bidwell Park. The Bidwell mansion was the social center of the community. Visitors included John Muir, Francis Willard, Susan B. Anthony, Asa Gray, Governor Stanford, General William T. Sherman and President Rutherford B. Hayes. Annie Bidwell died on March 9, 1918.