William Andrew Kidd

b. 15 November 1874, d. 10 October 1960
  • Father: James Kidd b. October 1838, d. 2 April 1923
  • Mother: Mary Watt b. October 1837, d. 25 January 1925
  • William Andrew Kidd was born on 15 November 1874 in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
  • William Andrew Kidd registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Erie County, New York, while living with his mother at 66 Whitney Street in Buffalo, self-employed there as an engineer and architect at 250 Delaware Avenue.
  • The following appeared on 11 December 1942 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Designer of Kleinhans Music Hall and many Buffalo schools and hospitals, Franklyn J. Kidd, prominent architect, died yesterday at his home, 350 West Utica Street, following a brief illness. He was 69 years old. Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 4 p. m. in Holmes Chapel of Westminster Church. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
         Born in Ramapo, N. J. /[sic/], the son of James and Mary Watt Kidd of Scotland, he came to Buffalo from New York City with his family in 1889. He had already started his architectural career in the New York office of Cady, Berg & See.
         After arriving here, he continued his architectural work and for many years was a partner in the firm of Green & Wicks. In 1919 he organized the firm of F. J. & W. A. Kidd. He came to be a recognized authority on hospital and school design.
         Kidd designed Meyer Memorial, Buffalo General, Children's and Millard Fillmore hospitals. Credited to him also are East and Riverside High schools, Kenmore Junior High School and many elementary schools.
         Two of his outstanding achievements are the Rand Building and Kleinhans Music Hall. His residential work included the George F. Rand, Sr., and the Henry Wendt residences.
         At the time of his death Kidd was engaged on designs of additions to Deaconess Hospital and DeGraff Memorial Hospital, North Tonawanda, both projects sponsored by the Federal Works Agency.
         He was a member of the American Institute of Architecture; Washington Lodge 240, F&AM; Buffalo Rotary and Westminster clubs.
         Surviving are his wife, Alice R. Kidd; a daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Schwaneflugel; a brother, William A. Kidd, and two grandchildren, Franklyn Kidd Schwaneflugel and Marion Kidd Schwaneflugel.
         Bearers will be Richard J. Parke, Robert Parke, Charles Schwaneflugel, Franklyn K. Schwaneflugel, George C. Gound and Eugene L. Walters.
  • He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • William Andrew Kidd died on 10 October 1960 at age 85.
  • The following appeared on 12 October 1960 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: A memorial service for William A. Kidd, 85, of 66 Summer St., prominent Buffalo architect and designer, will be conducted at 4 tomorrow afternoon in Holmes Chapel of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Dr. Albert G. Butzer will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
         Mr. Kidd, who was architect for the Rand Bldg. and assisted in the design of Kleinhans Music Hall, died Monday. He also designed several Buffalo and suburban schools.
         A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Mr. Kidd attended Columbia University and Pratt Institute, New York City. He was associated with a New York architectural firm, and in 1919 formed a firm here with his brother, Franklyn J. Kidd.
         Mr. Kidd helped design the Erie County Home & Infirmary, East High School, Kenmore Senior High School and the Millard Fillmore Hospital additions.
         He was architect for the Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Parkside, Herbert Hoover, Horace Mann, Betsy Ross and Washington schools in the Town of Tonawanda school system.
         Mr. Kidd served as a $1-a-year architect for the government during World War I. He was a member of the Western New York Chapter, Architects Institute of America; Washington Lodge 240, F&AM; the Buffalo Consistory, Ismailia Temple of the Shrine, Westminster Church Men's Club and the Construction Club.
         He is survived by his wife, the former Edith Schultz McDonnell of Rochester, and a step-son, Donald W. McDonnell.
  • The following appeared on 13 October 1960 in the Buffalo Courier-Express: [Died] William A. Kidd, of 66 Summer St., Oct. 10, 1960, beloved husband of Edith Schulttz McDonnell Kidd; step-father of Donald W. McDonnell; brother of the late Anna Simpson, Mrs. Fenton M. Parke and Franklyn J. Kidd. A memorial service will be held at Holmes Chapel of Westminster Presbyterian Church thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Friends invited. Mr. Kidd was a member of the American Institute of Architecture WNY chapter, No. 240, Past Master Washington Lodge F.&A.M., member of Buffalo Consistory, Ismailia Temple, Westminster Men's Club and Construction Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Homes, c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church.
  • Last Edited: 22 Apr 2014