Amador County Biographies

STEPHEN P. KIDD

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Was born in Colne, Lancashire, England, in 1825, living there until he was twenty-three years of age, 
following the business of landscape gardener, seedsman and florist, callings for which he had been regularly 
educated. In 1848 he came to the United States, and four years afterwards to California in company with 
the Surface family, who settled on Dry creek. In the Summer after his arrival he engaged in mining at 
the old Winters Bar, opposite Lancha Plana, following his trade the following Summer on the rich lands 
of Dry creek. Being naturally of a scientific turn of mind he soon mastered all that was known of mines 
and mining, and his advice became valuable in connection with the mines afterwards discovered in 
Nevada, some of the most extensive and profitable ventures in that State being inaugurated by him. 
The fine, artistic plans on the Edwards place, now owned by Younglove. was the result of his skill as a 
landscape gardener. After spending some years in the Nevada mines he finally settled down on a beautiful 
place in Jackson valley to make a home for his young and interesting family, he having married Miss Mary
 M. Goodding December 13, 1870; but God disposes. In the midst of his projects he was taken sick, and on 
Sunday eve he breathed his last. 

As a man Mr. Kidd was quiet and unassuming, always cheerful, with a kindly word for all. In his 
business relations he was exact and reliable, managing with justice and discretion. Nature forms but 
few such men. 

History of Amador, California With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 
of its Prominent Men and PioneersOakland, California, Thompson and West, 
1881.