Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-10-03
Daily 2ress aaa aakotaiau

Inc announcement OF the unexpected
death OF Jefferson p. Kidder, associate
justice OF the supreme court of Dakota
and Judge of the fourth Judicial district
courts. is received with peculiar sadness
by the pioneers OF the empire which had
grown up around him Aibce the day, 60
long ago. when lie first set foot on Da.
kota soil. For some time past Judge
kidder has been afflicted with chronic
ailment and he died from the
effects OF an operation for
his relief AT least this, we understand,
from our meagre information, to have
been tho direct cause. He was born in
Vermont in July, 1920. aud was A
graduate from the university Of Nor
slch. Alter finishing his studies be
was admitted to the practice of law aud
became prominent IL politics. He was
made lieutenant governor OF Vermont
along about 1850. the exact date
OF this event not being
known to the writer. In 1859 he remoy-
ed to Dakota, then an unknown wider.
ness without organization and almost
without name and was chosen provisional
delegate by the squatters. In company
with Major Dewitt and A. g. Fuller, now
OF Yankton, and others, he settled at the
point now known at Sioux Falls. This
frontier position was. however, untenable
at that early day and Judge Kldder
moved eastward into Minnesota, where
be engaged in the practice of his pro.
fession. In 1862 he was elected mem
Der of the Minnesota legislature. Three
years later he was appointed associate
justice OF the supreme court of Dakota
to succeed Judge Ara Bartlett, promoted
to the chief lusticeship. For time he
resided in Yankton, but subsequently
moved to Vermillion, which was his
place of residence up to the time of his
death. He served as an associate Justice
OF the supreme court of Dakota until
1874, when he was elected delegate to
congress by the republican party, which
position was again conferred upon him
in 1876. At the close of his second con-
gressional term the fourth judicial dis.
trict was created by congress AID Judge
hiddcr again appointed as associate
justice and judge of that district. This
position he held at the time of his death.
For nearly twenty years he occupied
public positions in Dakota with honor
to the service and credit to himself. He
was popular man With all
classes of people. Possessing high
social attainments and generous quail
ties of heart and mind, he drew about
him many warm friends, who maintained
their allegiance throughout his life. An
indefatigable worker, his close attention
to official and professional dnties told on
his constitution. and the last four years
of travel sbout his district. and the ne.
cessary unreasonable hours connected
with it. brought upon him the disease
which has finally eliminated in his
death. His wife died some two years
ago in st. Paul and there are now re.
manning OF the family, his son, Silas ".
Kidde:, of Vermilliou, and a married
daughter living in ST. Paul.
The older portion of Dakota lis in
to-day over this sad event, and
there are many of the pioneer squad
whose fearful memories will go back
over the years when they best knew
their genial companion and learned,
through privation and toll. to appreciate
him for his true worth.