William Clark Sidner
William Clark Sidner, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, was born on the place where he now lives January 5, 1845; he is a son of Jacob and Margaret R. Sidner, he a native of Kentucky, and she of Licking County, Ohio. The grandfather, Philip Sidner, was a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky with ten of his brothers, and settled there in an early day. Some of them were extensive slave owners, but manumitted their slaves prior to the war. About 1802, Mr. Philip Sidner, with his family, removed to Ohio and settled about four miles south of Columbus, on the Scioto River; thence he went back to Kentucky, but returned to Ohio in 1806, and here remained till his death. He was buried at Jefferson. Jacob was born in Kentucky in 1788, and was raised in Ohio. When about twelve years old, he, with his sister, settled on the old "Ewing" farm, now owned by G. G. McDonald. In 1818, they settled on the place where his son, our subject, now lives. He married Margaret R. Irvin, by whom he had seven children, five now survive – Irvin, Wesley, Angeline, William Clark and Theotis. Mr. Sidner was twice married; by his first wife, Miss Ewing, he had five children, three now living – Samuel, Philip and Elizabeth Jane. Mr. Sidner died in February, 1880, and his wife in August, 1880. He experienced his full share of the trials and dangers of pioneer life, having been among the earlist [sic] settlers, and he had lived in Deer Creek Township nearly seventy years. He was an energetic, industrious farmer, and became owner of about 900 acres of land; he was a man of undoubted honor and integrity, and an earnest member and worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the organizers of the Upper Glade Church, a Steward in the same and a Trustee for many years. The subject of this sketch was married, February 24, 1870, to Sarah J. Jones, a native of this county, by whom he has two children – Ernest L. and Earl Anson. Mr. Sidner located on the home place, where he still resides and where he has lived from his birth. Here he has a fine farm and good improvements, constituting a pleasant home.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]