Ionia in Ionia County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James H. Kidd
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 12, 2023
1. James H. Kidd Marker
- Born in Ionia County in 1840
- Authorized to raise a company of the 6th Michigan Cavalry in 1862, and quickly rose to the rank of Colonel
- Succeeded Gen. George Armstrong Custer to command his Michigan Cavalry Brigade, then served under Custer at the Battle of Gettysburg
- Awarded the rank of Brevet General for his service in the west after the Civil War
- Headed the Michigan National Guard & Michigan G.A.R.
- Appointed Register of Ionia's Federal Land Office, 1867
- Invested in Ionia's newspaper business, later merging two local papers in the Ionia Sentinel-Standard
- Served as Ionia Postmaster, 1890-93
- Received hon. doctorate in literature from U of M for his Civil War Memoirs and other publishing efforts
Erected 2020 by Eagle Scout Cody Husted & Ionia County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 42° 58.935′ N, 85° 3.987′ W. Marker is in Ionia, Michigan, in Ionia County. It can be reached from West Main Street west of South Depot
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan and in Greater Grand Rapids. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fred W. Green (here, next to this marker); Samuel & Anna Dexter / Erastus & Phoebe Yeomans / Dr. W.B. and Anthy Lincoln (here, next to this marker); City of Ionia Cornell Alley (a few steps from this marker); Julia Wheelock / Bertha Brock / Polly Dye (a few steps from this marker); Large Grind Wheels and Gears from Shear Machine (a few steps from this marker); One Horse Plow (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Ionia (within shouting distance of this marker); Whetstone (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 12, 2023
2. James H. Kidd Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, February 12, 2023
3. Cornell Alley
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 374 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
