Hiram F. Kidder

  General Notes:

Never can greater honor be paid than to him who aids in holding high the standard which represents the deeper principles of liberty, and the military career of Hiram F. Kidder is one which will ever redound to his honor as a loyal and devoted son of the Republic. In the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen and a trustworthy official. He is a native of Genesee county, New York, born August 25, 1842, a grandson of E. B. Kidder, a native of the New England states, and a son of E. B. Kidder, who was born in Vermont. The last named located in western New York, near Buffalo, in an early day, and was a miller by occupation. His death occurred there when he was about sixty years of age. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Emeline G. Hill, was also a New Englander by birth, and she reached the age of eighty-two years. In the family of this worthy old couple were seven children, six sons and one daughter, and four of the sons were soldiers in the war of the rebellion, the youngest laying down his life on the altar of his country.

Hiram F. Kidder, the eldest son in his parents' family, was reared in the place of his nativity. On reaching the age of nineteen years he came to Goshen, Indiana, and in 1861 enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering Company M, Second Indiana Cavalry, as a musician. but by Governor Morton was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and in October, 1863, as adjutant of the regiment, serving in that capacity until the close of the struggle. He served in the Southwestern Department, Sherman's army, and with that gallant band participated in all the important battles of the war, including Shiloh. Atlanta, the siege of Corinth, and at the battle of Resaca was wounded and his horse shot under him. He was a brave and fearless soldier, and when the war ended and his services were no longer needed he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. Indiana, after a military career of over three years. Returning to his home in Goshen Mr. Kidder was for a time thereafter engaged in the hotel business, in various mercantile enterprises and in the liverv business until his appointment as court bailiff. For eight years he also served as the deputy sheriff of Elkhart county, and in 1894 was elected to that office, the duties of which he so creditably filled that he was re-elected in 1896. Since the expiration of his second term as sheriff he has lived in retirement in his pleasant home in Goshen. During the St. Louis Exposition he had charge of the Goshen Manufacturing Company's interests tl>ere.

In 1866 Mr. Kidder was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Rowell, eldest daughter of one of Goshen's oldest pioneers, and their only daughter, Minnie L., is the wife of C. R. Leas, by whom she has one son, Dean Chester. Mr. Kidder is a life-long Republican, and is an active worker in the ranks of his party. He holds pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of Post No. 90, G. A. R., in which he served as adjutant for five years and is also a past commander. He also holds membership relations with the Bene\\olent and Protective Order of Elks, of Goshen. ¹

Hiram married Anna E. Rowell in 1866 in Elkhart County, Indiana, USA.