Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

George Kidman, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist residing on section 28, Lee township, was born at St. Ives, twelve miles from Cambridge, England, on the 2d day of October, 1852, his parents being Francis and Susan (Coulson) Kidman, also natives of England. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away July 1, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years, while the mother was called to her final rest on the 4^th of August, 1892, when eighty-five years of age.

Unto this worthy couple were born thirteen children:  Francis, whose birth occurred September 20, 1843, wedded Miss Harriet Cousins on the 21^st of September, 1864.  To this union were born the following children:  Frank; Thomas; James; Susan, deceased; Arthur; Anna; Dora, who has also passed away; George; Mary; and Frank.  The wife and mother died October 10, 1893, and Francis Kidman subsequently married Miss Nelson, by whom he has three children, Richard, Benjamin and James.  He is now a resident of Milbank, South Dakota.  James, the second son of Francis and Susan Kidman, is a saddler by trade and makes his home in London, England.  He married Miss Louise Elwig, by whom he has four children:  Salena, George, Fred and Anna.  William, twin brother of James, is a carpenter by trade and lives in London, England.  He first wedded Miss Eliza Neuman, by whom he had two children and after her death married again, also having two children by his second wife.  Mary is the wife of George Meadows, who is engaged in the contracting business in St. Ives, England.  John, who is a saddler by trade, is married and makes his home in London, England.  Richard, who is a painter by trade, is likewise; married and resides in London, England.  George, of this review, is the next in order of birth.  Walter, who married Miss Laura Bags, is a carpenter by trade and makes his home in London, England.  Arthur died in infancy.  Four others also died in infancy.

In 1867, when a lad of fifteen years, George Kidman crossed the briny deep to the United States, locating at Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for about two years.  On the expiration of that period, in the fall of 1869, be came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and was successfully engaged in the operation of a rented farm near Newell, Iowa, until 1876.  Returning to his native land, he resided there for about three years and then once more came to the United States in 1880, making his home near Independence, Iowa, for three years.  He then spent one winter in England and on again coming to America, in the spring of 1884, he took up his abode in Buchanan county, Iowa.

On the 7th of September, 1885, Mr. Kidman was united in marriage to Miss Gertie A. Wengirt, a daughter of Ulrich and Johanna (Wagner) Wengirt, both natives of Germany.  Mr. and Mrs. Wengirt arrived in the United States on the 1st of September, 1865, settling in Buchanan county, Iowa, where the father still resides, being successfully engaged in farming.  Mrs. Wengirt was called to her final rest on the 8th of April, 1890, when she had attained the age of sixty-one years.  Mrs. Kidman was the eldest in a family of seven children, the others being as follows:  Rose, the wife of William Clough, who is mentioned on another page of this work; John, whose demise occurred August 11, 1904; Charles, who passed away on the 22d of August, 1889; George, who resides on the old homestead in Buchanan county, Iowa; Anna, at home; and Leonard, whose death occurred June 12, 1896, when he was eighteen years of age.  Unto our subject and his wife have been born the following children:  George, whose natal day was October 28, 1886; Carl, whose birth occurred October 14, 1890; Rose, born September 17, 1888, who is engaged in teaching school; and Anna, born June 10, 1895.

For about two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kidman resided on a farm near Independence, Iowa, but in 1888 came to Buena Vista county, settling on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Lee township, which has since remained their place of abode.  The land is all under a high state of cultivation and the farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance, while a handsome residence adds to the attractiveness of the surroundings.  Mr. Kidman devotes his time and attention to general farming and stock-raising and his success in these undertakings well entitles him to representation among the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of the community.

In his political views Mr. Kidman is a stalwart republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, with which his wife is also identified.  He is likewise connected with Logan Lodge, No. 510, Court of Honor, at Sioux Rapids.  Starting out in life empty handed, the prosperity he enjoys is attributable entirely to his own untiring and well directed labor and he has long been numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of his adopted county.