Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Kidder, Harvey Edward June 24, 1946
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Sentinel-Standard - Monday, June 24, 1946

                       FUNERAL OF H. E. KIDDER ON TUESDAY

Harvey E. Kidder, 70, former Ionia mayor and president and treasurer of the 
Ionia Pottery company, died in his sleep early Sunday morning at his home on 
Rich street, after three years of illness from a heart ailment.

He was found dead in bed about 9 a.m. Sunday by Mrs. Kidder, who summoned 
Mrs. George Coe, sr., a neighbor for assistance. It was believed Mr. Kidder 
died sometime after 5 a.m. Sunday (illegible word or words).

Despite his illness during the past three years he continued as active head 
of the Ionia Pottery company although he was forced to spend considerable 
time in bed. Only a few days ago he had visited the plant for a brief time.

Funeral services are to be conducted from the home on rich street Tuesday 
afternoon at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Highland Park cemetery. The Rev. 
Frederick Dunbar of Grand Rapids, former pastor of the Ionia Methodist 
church, will conduct the service assisted by Dr. Paul L. Stewart of Ionia.

Mr. Kidder was born July 21, 1875, in Keene township, the son of James H. 
and Mary A. Kidder. He attended district school in Keene and the Saranac 
public schools, graduated from the Saranac high school. He taught for two 
years in the rural school near Saranac, and then moved to Ionia where he 
became associated with the late Royal A. Hawley in the law profession. 

He studied law under Mr. Hawley for a number of years and was admitted to 
the bar in Ionia county. For a time he practiced law with Mr. Hawley and 
served as Ionia city attorney.

In 1905 Mr. Kidder accepted a position as manager of the Ionia Pottery 
company, then owned and operated by the Burhans family. Later Mr. Kidder was 
named president and treasurer, a post he held at the time of his death.

                            Active In Politics
A devoted Democrat, Mr. Kidder for many years was a motivating force in 
Ionia county Democratic circles as well as in the state. He was chairman of 
the Ionia county Democratic committee several years and twice was 
presidential elector. He was a regular Ionia county Democratic delegate to 
the state Democratic convention and many times a delegate to national 
conventions.

In 1911 Mr. Kidder was elected mayor of Ionia and he served one term. He was 
appointed postmaster of Ionia in 1912 by President Woodrow Wilson, a post he 
held for two four-year terms until 1920. With the election of William A 
Comstock as governor of Michigan in 1932 Mr. Kidder was appointed warden of 
the Ionia state reformatory. He remained there until about January 1, 1935, 
being replaced following the defeat of Governor Comstock.

Mr. Kidder was a past exalted ruler of the Ionia Elks and a life member, a 
director of the Ionia State Savings bank, a member of the Ionia Rotary club, 
and for many years served as chairman of the Ionia city industrial 
committee, a committee which handled funds for use by industry.  He was for 
years president of the Michigan State Florists association.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Anna Kidder, two daughters, Mrs. Luther 
Lawrence of Detroit, and Miss Jane Kidder of New York Coty; his mother, Mrs. 
Mary Kidder, and his sister, Mrs. Lawrence Lemmen, both of Ionia, and a 
granddaughter, Pamela Lawrence of Detroit. 

Additional Comments:
Age: 70
Funeral: Tuesday, 25 June 1946
Highland Park cemetery #C-87

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