George R. Siders, a well-known and progressive farmer of Brandywine township, this county, proprietor of a fine farm of something more than one hundred and twenty-five acres, is a native of the adjoining county of Rush, but has lived in Hancock county more than twenty years. He was born on January 25, 1865, son of William and Hester (Unrue) Siders, the former a native of Franklin county, this state, and the latter of Rush county, daughter of pioneer parents who had come to Indian from Virginia.

William Siders was the son of a Virginian who settled in this state in early days and he grew to manhood and married in Rush county. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil War and died from the effects of eating poisonous food after having gone for days on scant rations during the Nashville campaign and is buried in the national cemetery at Nashville. He left two children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Amanda, who married Thomas Foster and lives in Blue River township, this county.

George R. Siders grew up in Rush county and his elementary education was received in the schools of that county, but he received very little schooling after he was twelve years of age, it early becoming necessary for him to devote his energies to the assistance of his mother. He was trained as a farmer and has been engaged in that vocation all his life. He married in 1886 and ten years later bought the farm in Brandywine township on which he ever since has made his home, and where he and his wife are very comfortably situated. Mr. Siders is a good farmer and has brought his place up to a high state of cultivation. The improvements on the place are of a substantial character and the farm is well stocked with a high grade of live stock, about one hundred hogs, a herd of twenty Jerseys for dairy purposes and twelve or fifteen head of general-purpose horses. He has a fine seven-room house of modern construction, cement walks about the place; a roomy barn, a silo and other farm building in keeping and the labors of farm work are lightened by the use of a gasoline engine. The place is well drained and fenced and is looked upon as one of the model farms of that neighborhood. Mr. Siders is a Democrat and gives close attention to local political affairs, always attending the meetings and conventions of his party.

It was in 1886 that George R. Siders was united in marriage to Rebecca Whitlock, daughter of Philip and Nancy Whitlock, farmers of Rush county, who were the parents of four children, Mrs. Siders having a brother, John, who lives in Portland, Oregon, and two sisters, Amanda, who married Henry Wilhelm and lives in Missouri, and Florence, who married Henry McMann and lives in Rushville, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Siders one son has been born, Nile, born on March 28 1893. On March 29, 1913, Nile Siders was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bass, daughter of Marshall and Naomi Bass, of Shelby county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Siders, was well as their son and his wife, are members of the Christian church at Shiloh, Mr. Siders being one of the officers of the same. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Court of Honor and takes a warm interest in the affairs of those organizations.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Pages 890-891.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI September 20, 2001.

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