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538:, Amidon graduated from Cleveland Law School and relocated to Wichita in 1886. By the time of his purchase of the Garver home 10 years later, he had grown wealthy and respected through his successful legal practice, effective speaking skills, and warm personality. Later in 1896, Amidon would go on to win election as
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Amidon's free time was spent collecting prize horses and cars, traveling the world, and funding various charitable efforts for the poor that further bolstered his reputation in the
Wichita community. After suffering a heart attack in his office on May 8, 1925, Amidon passed away at the age of 62. His
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The home's builders and original occupants, the Garver family was headed by prominent builder and financier Martin Luther (M.L.) Garver and his wife, Kathryn ("Kate") B. Emminger. They lived in the home with their four children Mary, George, James, and
Charles from its completion in 1887 until 1896,
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After retiring from public office in 1901, Amidon established a legal partnership with Judge David M. Dale. The firm of Dale & Amidon would grow to become "one of the most prominent and influential in the state" and " in connection with the most important litigations in the state and federal
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had "purchased the fine home of M.L. Garver." The newspaper went on to state that "when Sam and Mrs. Amidon get through furnishing it in accordance with their plans it will be one of the most comfortable homes in the city," noting that the
Amidons had outmaneuvered several prominent citizens of
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Designed by the
Wichita architectural firm of Gould & Terry, the mansion finished construction in 1887 at an estimated cost of $ 10,000 (or $ 323,000 in 2023 dollars). Located on the northwest corner of Market and Park (now 9th) Streets, the home was commissioned on a .37 acre plot of land
519:, offering "my splendid brick, slate-roof, 10-room house... at 33 per cent of cost if sold at once. The chance of your lifetime." Why Garver was intent on quickly selling his custom-built mansion at a third of its construction price is unclear, although economic turbulence in the wake of the
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on April 11, 1871. After going into the real estate and loan business, Martin relocated the family to
Wichita in 1879, where earlier in the decade he had "camped just south of where the Second Street bridge located, and bought
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Attorney, a position he was reelected to in 1898 "by a larger majority than was ever before received by a
Sedgwick County Attorney" to that point.
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642:"Even though it's been converted into offices, the new owner of the historic Amidon House intends to maintain building's historic charm"
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Kansas: a cyclopedia of state history, embracing events, institutions, industries, counties, cities, towns, prominent persons, etc
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Around 1947, the home was purchased by Lyda E. Barnes. A 59-year-old widow active as a leader in female fraternal orders like the
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and
Hypatia Club, Barnes continued operating it as a rooming house along with several other owned rental properties. As of the
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in 1928 to live with her sister, but retained ownership of the home and visited occasionally until passing away in 1936.
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414:. Built in 1887 by financier Martin L. Garver, it became particularly notable as the residence of prominent Wichitan
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A view of the house's south face around 1945. The second story porch was enclosed to maximize rentable space during
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courts." In addition to his legal practice, Amidon spent time growing his influence in the state and national
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Biographical
Sketches of Leading Citizens of Sedgwick County, Kansas, and a Compendium of National Biography
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The Garver family, including their horse
Colonel, pose with the newly completed house, 1887.
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550:. These efforts eventually culminated in his selection as Kansas' representative to the
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likely had a temporary impact on the outlook of his real estate business.
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Regardless, one month later on
February 27, the Eagle was reporting that
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on May 16, 1844, and raised on his family farm. He served briefly in the
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On January 26, 1896, Garver listed the house for sale in the
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before being discharged in 1863. After graduating from
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Amidon during his tenure as DNC Vice Chair, 1919–1925.
812:"Mrs. S.B. Amidon claimed by death at San Diego home"
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144:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
531:Wichita who also wanted to purchase the property.
701:. Vol. II. C.F. Cooper & Co., Chicago.
612:"Midtown, MAPC agree on zoning for law offices"
699:History of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas
554:, a close personal friendship with President
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53:Learn how and when to remove these messages
792:. Vol. III. Standard Pub. Co. Chicago
235:
222:Learn how and when to remove this message
204:Learn how and when to remove this message
775:. Biographical Publishing Company. 1901.
422:Attorney and later as Vice Chair of the
418:from 1896 to 1925, during his tenure as
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467:when the family moved to 1231 N. Waco.
16:Historic house in Kansas, United States
433:to serve workers in Wichita's booming
490:in 1866, he married Kate Emminger of
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142:adding citations to reliable sources
484:26th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
360:3,430 sq ft (319 m)
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883:Houses in Sedgwick County, Kansas
34:This article has multiple issues.
482:as a member of Company A of the
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848:. February 11, 1973. p. 58
818:. September 29, 1936. p. 5
618:. September 30, 1977. p. 9
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129:needs additional citations for
42:or discuss these issues on the
749:. February 27, 1896. p. 5
458:originally purchased in 1883.
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786:Blackmar, Frank, ed. (1912).
719:. January 26, 1896. p. 7
674:. January 27, 1887. p. 4
552:Democratic National Committee
499:steak at 25 cents a basket."
424:Democratic National Committee
697:Bentley, O.H., ed. (1910).
394:(historically known as the
381:Historic Landmark, City of
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470:Mr. Garver was born near
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878:Houses completed in 1887
646:Wichita Business Journal
406:mansion in the historic
250:The house in August 2023
365:Design and construction
79:, as no other articles
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564:San Diego, California
562:widow Alice moved to
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310:37.70056°N 97.33722°W
743:"Amidon gets a home"
138:improve this article
534:Born and raised in
396:Garver-Amidon House
315:37.70056; -97.33722
306: /
265:Architectural style
260:General information
846:The Wichita Beacon
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488:Wittenberg College
480:American Civil War
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98:for suggestions.
88:to this page from
816:The Wichita Eagle
747:The Wichita Eagle
717:The Wichita Eagle
672:The Wichita Eagle
648:. August 31, 2020
616:The Wichita Eagle
462:The Garver Family
435:aircraft industry
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370:Architecture firm
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852:January 12,
668:"Residence"
652:January 12,
622:January 12,
592:1950 census
536:Perry, Ohio
478:during the
349:Floor count
313: /
288:Coordinates
872:Categories
842:"Obituary"
822:January 2,
796:August 23,
713:"FOR SALE"
598:References
476:Union Army
400:Queen Anne
357:Floor area
301:97°20′14″W
269:Queen Anne
164:newspapers
94:; try the
81:link to it
39:improve it
404:Victorian
336:Completed
326:Named for
298:37°42′2″N
84:. Please
45:talk page
497:Buffalo
445:History
437:during
408:Midtown
402:-style
398:) is a
383:Wichita
275:Address
178:scholar
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77:orphan
75:is an
185:JSTOR
171:books
854:2024
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339:1887
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