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James Gawthorne Kidgell c. 1837 - c. 1915

James Gawthorne Kidgell of Myrrhee, VIC Australia was born on April 8, 1837 to Christiana Gawthorne and Henry Kidgell. He had siblings Elizabeth Gawthorne Kidgell, Clark Gawthorne Kidgell, and Henry Gawthorne Kidgell. He married Annie Martha Quinton, and died at age 78 years old circa May 13, 1915 in Myrrhee (near Wangaratta). James Kidgell was buried in Wangaratta.

James Gawthorne Kidgell

"Lumeah" in Myrrhee, VIC Australia

April 8, 1837

circa May 13, 1915

Myrrhee (near Wangaratta), VIC, Australia

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James Gawthorne Kidgell James Kidgell (1837 - 1915)

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James Gawthorne Kidgell's History: circa 1837 - circa 1915

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04/8

1837

Birthday

April 8, 1837

Birthdate

Unknown

Birthplace

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Early Life & Education

Congregational College
Professional Career

Traveler, Draper, Politician, Printer/Editor
05/13

1915

circa

Death

circa May 13, 1915

Death date

Pneumonia and heart complications

Cause of death

Myrrhee (near Wangaratta), VIC Australia
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Wangaratta, VIC 3677, Australia
Burial location
Obituary

Wangaratta Chronicle Saturday 22 May 1915 p 3 Article DEATH OF OLD COLONIST. — The death occurred at 4 o'clock on Thursday morning of Mr. James Gawthorne Kidgell, the sad event taking place at "Lumeah," Myrrhee, the residence of his son, Mr. P. J. Kidgell. For four years Mr. Kidgell had been in indifferent health, and death was due to pneumonia and heart weakness. The late Mr. Kidgell was a native of Polesworth, Warwick, England, and was 78 years of age. He was educated at the Congregational College, and in 1852 he sailed for Australia, the ship's passenger list being made up principally of Congregational Ministers who were coming to this country to take up church work. The anchor was dropped in Hobson's Bay on Christmas Day, 1852. Soon after landing Mr. Kidgell sought employment with Messrs Sargood Bros., wholesale drapers, and was put on as a traveller. He visited many parts of the State, and consequently became well known. He afterwards went to Gympie, Queensland, where with a brother he opened a drapery establishment. He arrived there just after a miner named Nash had made the discovery of gold, and the rush of diggers had set in. He took a prominent part in the affairs of Gympie, and was actively connected with most of the public bodies and institutions. He was a staunch supporter of the Liberal cause, and after a time he was elected to represent Wyde Bay constituency in the State Parliament. He held the seat for nine years when he was defeated by Sir Horace Towser. He was an ardent advocate of the extension of the railway line from Maryborough to Gympie, which was being opposed by many Gymple residents who held that the opening of the railway would divert business to Maryborough. The Bill authorising the construction of the line finally came before the House. The day for taking the vote was fixed, but Mr. Kidgell, who, had to travel by coach from Gympie to Brisbane—a distance of 108 miles missed the coach and had to do the journey on horseback. He rode throughout the night and arrived in the House just in time to record his voted in favour of the line, which was agreed to by one vote. He was a keen debater and frequently met the present Prime Minister, Mr. A. Fisher, in the Gympie Debating Society. Mr. Kidgell married at Gympie in 1871, and there the family of nine was reared. After leaving the political arena, Mr. Kidgell was appointed Town Clerk of Gympie, and later on he became editor of "Gympie Times," the proprietor being Mr. J. J. Slum, who is the present representative of Lillee in the House of Representatives. He was also editor of the Gundagai "Times" for some years. Subsequently the family removed to Melbourne, and Mr. Kidgell established an advertising agency, and for some time printed and published "The Woman" paper for the Women's League. Four years ago he retired from business and came to Myrrhee to live with his son. Mrs Kidgell survives, and the members of the family are:— Mrs. McColl, Lithgow, N.S.W.; Miss M. Kidgell (Myrrhee), Misses W. and L. Kidgell (Middle Park); Staff Q.M.S. J. Kidgell, who is at present fighting under General Botha in South Africa, and who previously fought in the Boer War; Messrs W. and E. Kidgell, West Australia; P. J. and F. Kidgell, of Myrrhee. Mr. W. Kidgell, of Melbourne, is a brother of deceased. Mr. S. Holman, Premier of New South Wales, is a nephew. The late Mr. Kidgell had a vivid recollection of early day incidents which he could relate in a most interesting manner. The remains were interred in the Wangaratta cemetery yesterday afternoon, the arrangements being carried out by Mr. G. V. Steele. The burial service was read by the Rev. F. Chisholm.

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