Kendall, Jeduthan P. (1830-1902)

KENDALL, SQUIRES

Posted By: Linda Linn (email)
Date: 3/19/2011 at 21:00:03

AKRON Register Tribune
4-17-1902

Pioneer Veteran Passes Away

After an illness extending over a period of only a few weeks, the final summons came peacefully to J. P. Kendall last Sunday evening at his home in Akron. His death was attributable to Bright’s disease with which he had been afflicted for some time. His condition was not considered dangerous until the last two or three days and his sudden taking away came very unexpectedly to the people of this vicinity.

Mr. Kendall has for years been one of Akron's most prominent and esteemed citizens and business men. He was always closely identified with the town's interests and welfare, and held the office of mayor in 1892. He was a man of exceptional strength and firmness of character, and in his daily life was actuated with that impulse of generosity and kindness of heart toward his fellow men so much admired and in greater measure of which the world stands in such need today.

Jeduthan P. Kendall was born in Chenango county, New York, September 22, 1830, his home town being
Greene. There he was married to the wife who survives. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. Fired with the spirit of patriotism, like so many other sons of grand old York state, he enlisted in Company E, 114th New York infantry, in 1862, and served until the close of thewar, being mustered out with his regiment. For conspicuous gallantry in action he was advanced to the rank of sergeant, and tookpart in the following important engagements: Port Hudson, June 10 to 14, 1863; Sabine Crossroads, April 8, 1861; Pleasant-Hill, April 9, 1864; Cane River Crossing, April 23, 1864; Mansura, May 16,1864; Winchester, September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill 1864; New Market, September 24, 1864; Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. At the close of the war Mr. Kendall returned to Greene, New York, and resided there until 1869 when he removed with his family to Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Here he superintended the construction
of the Black River pier, considered a great piece of engineering in those days. After a residence
there of six months he concluded to cast his lot with those sturdy pioneers who were pushing forward to carve out homes in the then sparsely settled middle west. Coming as far as Sioux City in the fall of 1868, his attention was drawn to the fertile acres of the beautiful Big Sioux valley, and accordingly he was among the first to take a homestead to Sioux Valley township, Union county, S. D., three miles northwest of Akron. There he lived, with his family until about the year 1885, when they became permanent residents
of Akron. He built the first ferry boat used on the Big Sioux river at this point and contracted for the construction of Akron's first public school building. Soon after removing here he engaged in the hotel business, first conducting what is now the 'Plymouth House’; but he later purchased and remodeled the Kendall House from the management of which he retired about a year ago after a long period of excellent service to the public in that capacity.

Left to mourn the departure of a devoted husband and father, are his faithful wife, who so willing shared the burdens of pioneer days, and their daughters -Mrs. R.E. Squires of Westplalia, Kansas, and Misses Celia and Olive E., of Akron.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at the family home and was largely, attended by old neighbors and friends. Rev. J. D. O. Powers, of the Unitarian church, Sioux City, delivered an eloquent tribute to the memory of the departed, holding out the assurance that the doors of this earthly kingdom had simply opened for his entrance into a finer and better life. The speaker's words of condolence to the sorrowing ones were exceptionally fitting and appropriate. A male quartet sang two songs. After the sermon the remains were taken in charge by the comrades of Biddlecome post, G. A. R., of which deceased was a member, by whom the ritual service was conducted at the grave.

Civil War Record
 

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