Judge Charles F. Amidon, United States district judge for the district of North Dakota, and a leading attorney of Fargo, was born in Clymer, Chautauqua County, New York, August 17, 1856, a son of John S. and Charlotte A. (Curtis) Amidon, also natives of New York. The grandfather, Leonard Amidon, was one of the first settlers of Chautauqua County, having located there in 1820. He followed the occupation of farming throughout life. The father was a United Brethren minister, who had charge of churches in both New York and Pennsylvania. He was a strong antislavery man, and before the Civil war assisted many a poor Negro on his way to Canada and freedom, his home being a station on the famous Underground Railroad. He cast the first vote for the Free Soil party in Chautauqua County. He died in New York, October 2, 1898, but the mother is still living. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom the oldest son served for four and a half years in a New York regiment during the Rebellion.
Judge Amidon was educated in New York. He prepared for college at the Corry high school, and in 1878 entered Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, from which he was graduated in June, 1882. The following August he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and for a year was principal of the high school at this place. He then entered the law office of Thomas & Benton, as a student, and in 1886 was admitted to the bar In January, 1887. He began practice as a member of the firm of Amidon & Bradley, which partnership existed until 1889, when the firm became Benton, Amidon & Bradley. Subsequently it was Benton & Amidon until 1896, when our subject was appointed judge to succeed Judge A. D. Thomas, deceased. He was appointed city attorney in 1890, and held that office for two terms, and in 1893 was appointed a member of the commission to revise the codes, the present codes being the result of their work.
In 1892 Judge Amidon led to the marriage altar Miss Beulah R. McHenry, of Fargo, and to them have been born three children: Beulah E., Charles C. and John M. The Judge is a member of the Unitarian society of Fargo, and is what may be termed a gold Democrat. Before his appointment as judge, he took an active interest in political affairs, and delivered many addresses throughout the county and state in the interest of his party. The place he won in the legal profession is accorded him in recognition of his skill and ability, and the place he occupies in the social world is a tribute to that genuine worth and true nobleness of character which are universally recognized and honored.
Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota 1900 Page 172