The next record of John Bidwell as a Mason is as a member of Butte Lodge No. 36 of Bidwell's Bar, Butte County. This is in the Returns from Butte Lodge in the Grand Lodge Proceedings of 1855. Also in 1856 and 1857 he is shown as a member of Butte Lodge No. 36. In 1858, the year after the founding of Chico Lodge, Bidwell is shown as "withdrawn by Butte Lodge.
In Sherman's "Fifty Years of Masonry in California" it is recorded that John Bidwell was a Past Master of Butte Lodge NO. 36. All evidence is to the contrary, however. In the Returns to the Grand Lodge by Butte Lodge No. 36 Bidwell was never listed as Worshipful Master of Past Master up to the time he is listed as "withdrawn." It is extremely unlikely that Butte Lodge could have consistently overlooked listing as a Past Master the man for whom their community was named had he ever been Master of their Lodge. From 1857 Bidwell's record is completely with Chico Lodge. Butte Lodge surrendered its charter in 1864.
In 1859 John Bidwell was Treasurer of Chico Lodge; in 1860, Senior Deacon; in 1861, Secretary; in 1862, Worshipful Master for the second time; in 1863, Senior Deacon again; and, in 1864, Worshipful Master for the third time. From 1865 Bidwell's activity rapidly lessened. The Tiler's Register indicates that there were long periods of absence from the Lodge, sometimes of two or three years. His last signing of the Register was June 4, 1876.
On July 4, 1888, John Bidwell served as Grand Orator, Pro-tem, when the Grand Lodge of California officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the State Normal School in Chico.
On July 21, 1888, John Bidwell's membership in Chico Lodge terminated. There is no record of his having affiliated with any other lodge or of renewing his membership in Chico Lodge.
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