Zedekiah KIDWELL, Congress, VA (1814-1872)

KIDWELL, Zedekiah, a Representative from Virginia; born in Fairfax, Fairfax County, Va., January 4, 1814; received an English education; studied medicine; moved with his father to Clarksburg, Va. (now West Virginia), in 1834; taught school and also clerked in a store; resumed the study of medicine; was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1839, and practiced in Fairfax County, Va., 1839-1849; moved to Fairmont, Va. (now West Virginia); member of the State house of delegates 1842-1845; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1849; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1849; again a member of the State house of delegates in 1849, 1850, and 1852; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1857); was not a candidate for reelection in 1856; resumed the practice of medicine; member of the West Virginia Board of Public Works 1857-1860; died in Fairmont, W.Va., April 27, 1872; interment in Fairmont Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present