Charles Kidder ’11
Giving back to the community was important to Howard Kidder. It was also important to his father, Charles Kidder ’11, a graduate of St. Paul College of Law.
Howard died in 2016 at the age of 93. In one of his final acts of generosity, he made a significant gift through his will to Mitchell Hamline in honor of his father. The unrestricted bequest provides support to students, faculty, and academic programs.
Charles Kidder was born in 1885 in Marshall, Minn. He graduated from Hamline University before attending St. Paul College of Law, a predecessor to Mitchell Hamline. After graduating in 1911, he became a part of the St. Paul firm Orr, Stark & Kidder and served as an attorney for 45 years. His wife, Caroline Bonn Kidder, was the firm’s legal secretary.
When Charles died in 1956, he was remembered by colleagues in the Ramsey County Bar Association for years of “constructive and unselfish service” to the legal community, his neighborhood, the city of St. Paul, and the state.
Howard, who grew up in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood of St. Paul, was known for his kindness and love of community.
His gift in Charles Kidder’s name continues the Kidder family’s legacy of generosity and service into the future.