Sidener - George B.
Source: Crawfordsville Review Dec 6, 1912 p1
The body of George B. Sidener, formerly of this city, who died in Muskogee, Oklahoma, will arrive this morning and will be taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. MV Sidener on South Grant Avenue. Mr. Sidener moved to Muskogee but recently, he having gone there from St. Louis in the hope that the change of climate would prove beneficial to his health. In this, he was disappointed for he grew gradually weaker since his change of residence. For several years, Mr. Sidener was a municipal judge and was given newspaper publicity all over the country for his unique decisions. Judge Sidener was the man who ruled that a dog had a right to bite a man if the man kicked at him. He also handed down a decision which declared that a man’s wife is privileged to go through her husband’s pockets in the night if he has not provided her liberally. While on the bench Mr. Sidener was known for his integrity and he never sacrificed justice to render a peculiar decision. Decedent was a native of Parkersburg, having been born there Oct 27, 1864. He came to this city with his parents when a young man and entered Wabash college. He remained in the local institution for two years and then went to St. Louis where he took up the study of law. Besides his parents and widow, two brothers, Dr. Warner Sidener of Potomac, Ill and Thomas J. Sidener, of Muskogee, survive as do two sisters, Mrs. DL Reichard and Mrs. Mary J. Clark, both of this city. Those who are to have charge of the body after the arrival of the funeral party in this city do not know of any of the plans that have been made except that the body will be taken to the Sidener home on Grant Avenue.
Kim Hancock - thanks to Kim H
Source: St. Louis Globe-Democrat, December 5, 1912
G.B. Sidner Dies at 48
Former Judge of the First District Police Court Succumbs in Oklahoma
George B. Sidner of 5551 Cabanne avenue, attorney and former judge of the First District Police Court of St. Louis, in which position he won fame for his judicial decisions, died at 9:30 o'clock last night on his ranch near Muskogee, Ok., whither he went last April in hope of recuperating his health. News of his death was received by his cousin, Prosecuting Attorney Howard Sidener.
Sidener was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., but left home when young and came to Missouri. He began his career as a telegraph operator at Ballwin, St. Louis County. He was studious and ambitious and studied law during his leisure hours and later entered the political field. He was prominent in St. Louis for many years as an attorney and politician, and although he has spent much of his time in travel, always has maintained a residence in St. Louis.
He was appointed judge of the First district Police Court by Mayor Henry Ziegenhein in 1898 and served in that position nearly four years, when he resigned to resume a law practice that took him to New York, where he remained for the greater part of two years. Then he went to Texas to look after land interests. Later he went to Mexico, where he had large mining interests at Oaxaca.
He contracted pneumonia while traveling in Texas, which developed into tuberculosis, to which he succumbed last night after a struggle of more than a year.
Sidener was 48 years old and is survived by his widow, who was Miss Luella Schwind, daughter of a well-known Lutheran minister of St. Louis. He is also survived by his father, Martin Van Buren Sidener, and his mother, two brothers and two sisters.
Sidener was a member of Montgomery Lodge No. 50, A.,F. and A.M.; St. Aldemar Commandery Knights Templars, St. Louis Consistory No. 1, Scottish rite Masons, and Moolah Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
HIs body will arrive in St. Louis tomorrow morning, accompanied by Mrs. Sidener and his brother, and will be taken to Crawfordsville, Ind., for burial.