Caroline Eliza Scudder Kiddoo 1854-1931

SCUDDER, KIDDOO, MARKS, SEVILLE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 12/7/2012 at 21:58:06

Mrs. Caroline Kiddoo

Caroline Eliza Kiddoo was born in Oneida, Ontario county, Illinois on May 27, 1855 and spent her girlhood there. In 1875 following the death of her mother, the family moved to Creston, buying the Kendall farm west of town. In 1878 they moved to Nebraska largely because of the pioneering spirit of both the father and brothers, and took up land in the new county and living in the new town of Juniata. Following her marriage to William Howard Kiddoo on Jan. 4, 1883, she went with her husband to take up a homestead in South, Dakota, settling 25 miles from Pierre. Here she came to know all the hardships of real pioneering as for eight years they labored without conveniences or even necessities, living at first in sod house of one room. It was remarkable that she had physical endurance to carry through these hard years, for all through her girlhood and young womanhood she had been handicapped by ill health. It was even more remarkable that she maintained throughout her buoyancy of spirit, her indomitable cheerfulness, always living in spirit above her physical surroundings. In this remove and isolated spot her two older children were born, and just as she had many times shown untiring kindness to others in need, so her friends and neighbors, miles removed gave their assistance in illness. After nine years, the family went by wagon to Beatrice, Neb., where the younger daughter was born and from there they found their way back again to Cromwell where she spent her life until going to California.

Hers was a great soul that, met with limitations of life, with lightness and gallantry. Her heritage was that kind of heritage, for she was descended from the best stock of England and the Scudder name is known throughout the world for those who have achieved large things and given great service to mankind. If her sphere of service was a smaller one it was no less noble, for she was ever and always the helper and consoler of others. No one could have lost their life more completely in thought and service for others than she did even to her last day. Her love of people naturally called out a response in those with whom she came in contact and endeared her to all ages alike.

Mrs. Kiddoo was fatally injured on May 23 in Glendale, Calif., when struck down by an auto in crossing the street less than a block from her home and lived only about half an hour after the accident. After long years of residence in the Cromwell community she went to California to maker her home with her daughter, Mrs. Claire Kiddoo Marks, in November of 1925 following the death of her aged father. Other children surviving are Delmar S. Kiddoo of Creston and Mrs. Edith Seville of Walnut and four grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 Saturday morning from the Congregational church where the deceased had been a member for many years, the services being in charge of Rev. C. S. Baird, former pastor of the local church, assisted by Rev. C. T. Halbert.

A mixed quartet composed of Mrs. A. O. Cancon, Mrs. M. E. McLaughlin, Will Smith, Rev. Mr. Baird sand and mrs. J. G. Parisho accompanied them.

Pall bearers were Charles and Will Ours, William Babbitt, L. U. Harrison, Elmer Kinkade and L. F. Godden.

Burial was made in the family lot in the Cromwell cemetery.