My Genealogy Hound

Kiddoo Brothers. Newton County, Mo., has no more reputable industry than its flouring mills, and the Valley Mills, represented by the Kiddoo Brothers, are noted for the fine quality of their product. The mill and site were purchased by the present owners in 1877, and since that time have been remodeled twice, the last time being changed to a full roller mill, with a guaranteed capacity of sixty barrels per day. The flour manufactured finds a ready sale at home, and the firm are not compelled to seek a sale outside of Newton County. Richard Kiddoo, the senior member of the firm, was born in Beaver County, Penn., February 10, 1840, and was reared on a farm in Mercer County, Ill. whither his parents had moved in 1846. He located in Johnson County, Mo., in 1867, and in 1877 came to Newton County, where he and his brothers purchased their present mill. He was married in 1865 to Appie S. Vannatta, also of Beaver County, Penn., and by her has five children: Elmer C., Ella M., Emma V., Charles H. and Harvy R. Robert Kiddoo, another member of the firm, was born in Mercer County, Ill., March 28, 1849, and made that his home until 1864; then went to Jasper County, Iowa; then in 1867 moved to Johnson County Mo., and in 1877 came to Newton County. In 1871 he married Jennie F. Larrimore, who was born in Ohio. She has two children: Cora and Mabel. James H. Kiddoo, the youngest member of the firm, is also a native of Mercer County, Ill., where he was born July 20, 1851. Like his brothers he spent his early life on a farm, and came to Newton County in 1877. His marriage with Willametta Gilrnore, a native of Illinois, took placc December 22, 1881. Too much can not be said in praise of the Kiddoo Brothers, for they are honorable, enterprising business men and progressive citizens. Their father, James Kiddoo was born in Beaver County, Penn., December 12, 1813, and his father and also his grandfather bore the name of James. His grandparents were of Scotch birth, and he was reared to a farming and milling life. In 1846 he moved to Mercer County, Ill.; in 1864 to Jasper County, Iowa, and in 1867 to Johnson County, Mo. Here he lived until 1877, at which time he moved to Newton County, but did not locate here permanently until 1883. He owns 384 acres of land, and is a prosperous farmer. March 31, 1836, he wedded Margaret Steele, of Pennsylvania. She died November 30, 1863, leaving nine children: John, Richard. Robert, James H., Amos, Howard, Emma (Mrs. G. Vance), Mary E. (Mrs. A. Foote) and Martha. December 22, 1864, he married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza W. (Duff) Williams, who by Cyrus Williams, her first husband, became the mother of two children: Emma (wife of J. C. Clark) and Cyrus E., both of whom live in Rice County, Kas.