Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-03
HON. u. p. KIDDER,

Associate Judge of the Court for Dakota
His Death Last Night--Sketch OF His
Life.-His Family-An Able Man of Strong
Mind and Independent Judgment.
Jefferson Parrish Kidder, United States dis
trict Judge Of Dakota, who died last night at the
Merchants hotel in this city, was a native of
Vermont and was about sixty-seven years
old. He studied and practiced law in his native
state and was prominent member of the state
oar when, yet quite young man, he was elected
lieutenant governor of the state--the first and
only Democrat ever elected to that office in
Vermont. Governor Robinson, who
was elected on the same ticket, was i'll
and absent most of the time and Lt.-Gov. Kidder
was acting Governor. He came to Minnesota on
a visit in 1856 and in 1857 brought his family
and came here to live. He ran for the legisla-
ture in this county in 1860 and received the GER
tifcate of election, but his seat was contested
and obtained by A. Nessel. He was again
q candidate, was elected as a Republican, and
served in the House in 1868 and 1864.
In 1865 he was commissioned by President Lin
coin an associate judge of the United States
court for Dakota, in which capacity he served,
with two reappointments, until 1876, when he
resigned to enter congress as the delegate from
Dakota. Here he served four years. In 1880
he was for the fourth time appointed to
the judship he had resigned and held this posi-
ton at the time of his death. He has for a long
time been a sufferer from an obstinate disease
of the bladder and two weeks ago came here to
have a surgical operation performed by Doctors
Murphy and Richie. The operation proved sue
cessful, and his physicians and attendants were
E--I- - L, l.
were confident he was gaining rapidly and he
himself felt as if the crisis was safely passed
bv,5 about o'clock yesterday morning alarm
ing symptoms set in, and it was found the in
fl nmatien had revived and was spreading up
wards towards the vital organs. At D. m.
yesterday he became unconscious, and SO
remained and died in that state at 1875 O'Clock
last night. His death was evidently unaccom-
panied by any mental suffering and his last
hours were undoubtedly relieved from physical
pain. AS he lay dead at midnight his features
had settled into an appearance of repose, and
those NO knew him best twenty years
ago might well think death had
given lnin back the happy expression which was
then most common to him. Since little more
than twenty years ago, Judge Kidder, notwith-
standing his success in public life, has had
moro than enc mans share of ssrrowss. His
eldest s+n, Lieut.. Lyman Kidder, cavalay
~AA1SOA Al ItO AO3uAdk U0dIluR u1SpdTcueS
across the Missouri plains, was killed
by Indians, with all the party of ten who accom-
panied him. Many of our readers will remem-
Der the discrimination with which Judge Kidder
persisted against remonstrance and prohibition
until he was enabled to bring home the remains
Of his SON and give them burial in Oakland
cemetery. His youngest child, bow,
sickeneo and died and was laid to rest in Oak
land. His only daughter, Mrs. Dana White,
nav 1ia1 and hr1r Cd he,
Kidder, his wife, an invalid for several wears.
and for long time so helpless as to require his
constant care and tenderest SYM
pathy, died two years ago at
her home in Dakota, and was brought to Oak
land to lay with her chill .ren. One son sur
wives them-Mr. Silas W. Kidder, a farmer.
living near Vermiion, Oak, married, and the
father of three children. Judge Kidder's
brother, who came west with his family
about the same time as the iudge
and his family, died few years ago at his hone
IN Star Prairie, Wis, leaving large family.
well known and highly respected. The son and
other relatives were notified by telegraph last
night, and the funeral hour will be set TODAY
after hearing from them.
When Judge Kidder decided to have the sur
glcal operation performed, he wrote to his former
neigbbor and old friend, W. 81. Shelley. that he
was coming for that purpose and requested him
to engage rooms at the hotel and stay with him.
After the operation. at the judges request, Capt.
james L. Fisk assisted in taking care of him,
and when their patient seemed to be
recovering Monday he spoke feelingly of their
kindness to him. Col. Allen and his EMPLOYEES
have done their best in providing for the com
fort of the sick man and his watchers: and the
many friends of the deceased will be glad to
know he lacked for no help which could
be given him. Judge Kidder was a man
of positive, almost aggressive force of
character and mind. He was able and indie
pendent, good judicial officer, warm and
steadfast friend, and more devoted as husband
and father. He was still in the prime of life,
vigorous of body, and with metal powers at
their best when his disease assumed its danger
Gus form and speedily wrought his death.
Thu postoffce at Chichester, Mass. was
IOhhad hv hnrnarS Mnndnu rnirrht .,f a.. -