Kidd, Isaac Reese

KIDD, MILES, FUGITT

Posted By: Donna Lindauer
Date: 1/14/2026 at 09:54:01

The Fremont County Herald, published in Sidney, Iowa
Friday, November 18th, 1910

Isaac Reese Kidd was born in Peoria, Illinois, June 10, 1837. He was a member of a family of ten children, two brothers and one sister surviving him. His parents moved from Peoria to McCoupin County, Illinois settling on a farm near Carlinville where his boyhood days were spent, assisting in clearing and cultivating the homestead in the new and far west. He was permitted to enjoy only the district school advantages which were very meager in those days. At the age of 18 he united with the Methodist Church at Asbury Chapel on whose books his name still remains as a member.

On August 2, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, 30th Illinois Infantry volunteers. He was elected first sergeant of his regiment before leaving camp, his regiment becoming attached to the 17th Army Corpse belonging to the army of the Tennessee under General Grant. He, with his regiment, participated in the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Antietam, Mission Ridge, siege of Vicksburg and Atlanta and several minor engagements. May 23, 1862, he was appointed second lieutenant for meritorious service rendered at Fort Donelson. On October 8, 1862, he was appointed first lieutenant for meritorious derive at Pittsburg Landing. He continued in the service of his country until October 27, 1864, when at Atlanta, Georgia, he received his muster out papers and an honorable discharge from the service of the United States Army on the 28th day of January, 1864.

He united in marriage with Catherine Miles at Aledo, Illinois. To this union five sons and one daughter were born, all of whom are living. After leaving the army he took up the pursuit of farming in Illinois which he followed till the spring of 1872 when he moved to Riverton, Iowa, where he has since resided except from 1891 to 1900. These years he spent on his Nebraska ranch. During his residence here he has been actively engaged in commercial life, founding in 1884 the Kidd Mercantile Company, of which he was the senior member.

Thus has passed away one of our leading citizens; one who had a helping hand to those in distress, one who was always ready to assist in making our town better and help in the upbuilding of the surrounding country. Long years in business had made him a familiar figure in the daily walks of life. He was a husband and father in all the essentials of these terms, one who held the esteem of everybody and one who will be missed among our populace. He was a true citizen and a model man. He may have had some faults, but if so they were overshadowed by his manly and noble life.

He was permitted to live to a ripe old age and in his declining years he was a welcome guest among the coming and going. He still lives in the hearts of our people and would that the percepts and examples given to us to walk more circumspectly and be as true to all as the departed had been. The family has the sympathy of everyone.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fred Harris, of Indianola, assisted by Rev. Sonar, pastor of the Methodist Church at this place. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers and draped in the American flag. The pallbearers were his five sons Bert, Ernest, Charley, Luther, Ira, and his son-in-law, Ernest Fugitt. The music rendered by the Riverton Quartet, was fine and appropriate. After the services the congregation was permitted to view the remains for the last time and then the Cortege wended its way to the cemetery where the good brother was laid to rest till that great day.