Biographical Sketches
JOHN W. KIDWELL
There is no one in Kansas City who has taken a more active interest in the upbuilding, improvement and development of the city than this gentleman. He is always found on the side of progress, and to him the community is indebted for many of its progressive interests. The true measure of one's success is what he has accomplished, and he best fulfills his mission in life who best uses his abilities and opportunities. When measured by these standards John W. Kidwell must be classed with those successful men who have made the most and best of themselves.
A native of Washington county, Ohio, he was born March 25, 1838, and in 1840 was taken by his parents to Pike county, Illinois, the family locating on a farm that crowned one of the bluffs of the Mississippi. The family afterward removed to Barry, same county, where our subject spent his boyhood days. He was only 12 years of age when his father died, and from that time he was not only dependent upon his own resources but the other children, 4 brothers and a sister, all except the sister, younger than himself, largely depended upon him for support. For about 4 years he worked in a brickyard, receiving from 6-7 dollars per month. He then secured a clerkship in a store, remaining in the employ of one house until he had attained his majority. His employer carried on general merchandising and also handled grain and pork; and so faithful was Mr. Kidwell to the trust reposed in him and so earnestly did he labor to promote the interests of the business that he was made general manager. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school. He had himself received but limited school privileges, but through experience, observation and study in his leisure hours he became a well informed man. Desirous of more advanced knowledge he entered school, but while thus engaged was asked to take charge of a school from which the teacher had been dismissed. He did so and managed to keep up with his classes at the same time. He continued teaching for about 7 years throughout the neighborhood and was very successful in this work.
Feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted in 1862 as a member of the 68th Illinois infantry, under Colonel Taylor, and served at Alexandria and Fairfax, Virginia. Upon his return home he resumed teaching. Another important event in his life occurred about this time, when, in the Fall of 1863, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Eliza M. Jones, who had also been a teacher. They afterward taught together at Rockport, Illinois, and in 1867 came to Missouri, locating on a farm in Index township, Cass county, east of Harrisonville. The land was still in its primitive condition, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made thereon, but Mr. Kidwell began developing the property, and soon had a fine farm. He made his home thereon for 10 years, and in March, 1877, came to Kansas City.
On his arrival here Mr. Kidwell turned his attention to gardening. After renting land for a time he purchased 15 acres of the old Holloway homestead, where he still resides. He still owns the greater part of this tract, but has platted a portion of it. He has always carried on gardening, and for some years did an extensive business along that line, having a large wholesale trade. There is always something attractive in this work, -- in watching the growth and development of a tiny plant until it has reached perfection. The business has also proved very profitable, for there is ever a constant demand for first-class garden products, and Mr. Kidwell places upon the market fine varieties. Each season he has from 4-5 acres planted in tomatoes, and from 5-10 acres in sweet potatoes. He has until recently had a stall in the Central Market, and though he has partially retired from business the income from his garden is still a good one. In 1887 he embarked in the loan business, under the firm name of the A. D. Beedle Company, with which he was connected until 1890. His real estate interests are now valuable, and he is enjoying a prosperity which is the reward of his own well directed efforts.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Kidwell comprises two daughters, -- Minna A. and Anna M. Both are natives of this state and graduates of the high school of Kansas City. After 2 years spent in Lawrence University they entered the Leland Stanford University, and were graduated in 1895, with the first class completing the course in that institution. The younger daughter is now a successful teacher in the Missouri State University, at Columbia, Missouri, having charge of the Spanish classes. She is also a proficient scholar in German and other modern languages.
Socially, Mr. Kidwell is connected with McPherson Post, No. 4, G. A. R., and has taken quite an active part in the work of the order. In 1894 he was elected to the city council as alderman from the 10th ward, and was also a member of the lower house of the common council, and is chairman of the committee on water and also on parks and boulevards. He was a stalwart advocate of the present system of parks and boulevards in Kansas City, and always stands for progression in all things. He is always found on the side of improvement, and has been the promoter of many interests which have proven of material benefit to the welfare of the city. He advocated the establishment of the new gas company, the enlargement of the stockyards, the improvement of the market system, and advocated the purchase of the water works. He is a champion of municipal reform, believing that the affairs of the city should be controlled by honorable, conscientious and progressive men, regardless of party affiliations. Kansas City may well be proud to number him among its residents, and in its history he well deserves representation.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.