John Curtis Kyle (July 17, 1851 – July 6, 1913) was an American attorney and Democratic politician from Mississippi during the late 19th century. He was most notable for his service as mayor of Sardis, Mississippi (1879-1881), a member of the Mississippi State Senate (1881-1885), member of the Mississippi Railroad Commission (1886-1890) and member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1891-1897).

Early life

Kyle was born in Sardis, Mississippi, the son of James M. Kyle and Susannah (Curtis) Kyle.^[1] As a boy, he attended the local schools and worked on his family's farm.^[1] He attended Bethel College through his junior year, then returned home to work on the farm.^[1] He later resumed his education at Cumberland University Law School, from which he received a LL.B. degree in 1874.^[1] He then attained admission to the bar and began a law practice in Batesville, Mississippi.^[1] After several years in Batesville, Kyle returned to Sardis, where he continued practicing law.^[1]

Political career

Kyle served as Democratic mayor of Sardis from 1879 to 1881, an event that was noteworthy for the fact that Kyle had not been a candidate for the office and had not campaigned for it.^[1] In 1881, Kyle was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, and he served until 1885.^[1] He declined to be a candidate for a second term, and in 1886 the state legislature chose him for a seat on the Mississippi Railroad Commission.^[1] Kyle had not sought the position, but still defeated John Marshall Stone in the legislative vote.^[1] In 1887, he was elected chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party's executive committee, and he oversaw the party's efforts in that year's statewide elections.^[1]

U.S. Representative

In 1890, Kyle was elected to the United States House of Representatives.^[1] He was re-elected in 1892 and 1894, and served in the House from March 4, 1891 to March 3, 1897.^[1] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1896 election, declining to run because he opposed the Democratic Party's adoption of the Free silver position in its 1896 platform.^[2]

Later life

After leaving the House, Kyle resumed practicing law. He also became involved in several banking and business ventures. In 1900, Kyle was a candidate for the presidency of Mississippi Agricultural & Mechanical College and lost by one vote when the school's board of trustees voted 5 to 4 to offer the position to J. C. Hardy.^[3] In 1902, Kyle announced his candidacy in the 1903 gubernatorial election, but withdrew after his business and legal interests prevented him from becoming an active candidate.^[2]

He retired from business in 1912, and died in Sardis on July 6, 1913, eleven days before his 62nd birthday.^[4] He was interred in Rosehill Cemetery.^[5]

Family

In 1879, Kyle married Sallie G. Heflin (1857-1941) of Sardis.^[1] They were the parents of a son, John Curtis Kyle Jr. (1882-1905).^[1]