Sidener, William

SIDENER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 21:19:06

William Sidener

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.658)
WILLIAM SIDENER came to Wright Township, Pottawattamie County, in 1880 and has since made his home here. Mr. SIDENER was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, December 2, 1833. His father, Jacob SIDENER, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and his grandfather, Nicholas SIDENER, was a native of Kentucky, the Sideners being of German ancestry. Jacob SIDENER married Sarah FOX, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Sarah FOX, natives of Pennsylvania and of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. Both Mr. SIDENER and his wife were reared in Ohio. Some time after their marriage, they emigrated to St. Joseph County, Michigan, where they became pioneers. He entered a tract of Government land, and at one time owned 360 acres. They spent the remainder of their lives in St. Joseph County, the mother dying at the age of thirty-eight when her son, William, was about fifteen or sixteen years old. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a farmer and stock raiser and dealer, and his prosperity in life was due to his own well-directed efforts. Politically, he was a Republican, formerly a Whig. He was a member of the Methodist Church and an active and zealous worker in the cause of Christ. This worthy couple reared six children, William being the oldest of the family. Joseph, the second son, was a member of the Forty-first Iowa Infantry and was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Michigan. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was united in marriage in Lagrange County, Indiana, January 8, 1857, to Miss Catherine ROAT, a native of New York State, daughter of William and Emma (SMITH) ROAT. Her father was born and reared in New York state and died there at the age of forty-eight years, and her mother died in Lagrange County, Indiana, at about the same age. They reared a family of four sons and five daughters, Mrs. SIDENER being the fourth born.

In 1859, the subject of this sketch and his wife removed to LaFayette, Illinois, where they resided until 1880. In that year, they came to this county, and he bought his present farm of Abel GIFFORD, who had improved it. It consists of 160 acres, has a good frame house and other farm buildings, and all the surroundings are in a flourishing condition. The school-house in District No. 9 is situated on the southwest corner of the farm, and the Asbury Church is only sixty rods east of Mr. Sidener's residence; so he is in close proximity to both school and church privileges. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. SIDENER and wife have three children, viz.: Ida B., Estella May wife of Fremont DEWITT, Wright Township; and Arthur G. They have three deceased, Roxelania, at the age of three years, and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Sidener's political views are in harmony with Republican principles. He and his wife and daughter, Ida, are members of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man who has had much experience in the world, has traveled extensively, and is well informed on all general topics. He is a trustee of the church of which he is a member and takes an active interest in religious and educational matters.