California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


MAJOR MARION SIDES. Among the representative men of Fresno county, Marion Sides 
has held a position of prominence. As president of the First National Bank of Selma, he is an ad- 
vocate of a conservative policy and endeavors to do all in his power to avoid all wild-cat specula- 
tion. His ability to judge others has been of untold benefit to him in his business career as a 
banker, merchant and farmer. He was born in Perry county, Mo., January 27, 1837, a son of 
Elihu and Daisy (Welker) Sides, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Perry 
county, where they both died. 

Elihu Sides located in Missouri at an early day and engaged in farming, a vocation he followed 
with success for many years. Marion Sides received his education in the common schools of 
Perry county and assisted with the work upon the home farm until 1861, at which time he en- 
listed in Company D, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and was afterward transferred to the Forty- 
eighth Infantry, taking part in many engagements of the war. After being mustered out of 
service in 1866, he returned to his home and engaged in a general merchandise business for 
one year, then took up farm work until 1875, when he disposed of his holdings and came to 
California, believing this state offered better inducements for an ambitious young man. Locat- 
ing at once in Fresno county he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, two miles north of the 
present site of Selma, and began its cultivation and improvement. As success came his way he 
has added to his original tract, and now owns about eight hundred acres of valuable land de- 
voted to diversified farming interests. He also was interested in the lumber business in Reed- 
ley, and is a stockholder and president of the First National Bank. 

Mr. Sides has been twice married, the first union was in Dent county, Mo., with Casander 
Matthews, a native of Missouri. Two children were born to them, both now deceased, Effie A., 
who married Charles E. Walker, and Ira M. Mrs. Sides died in Fresno county, April 8, 1894. 
In Fresno county, June 11, 1895, he was again married, Ollie M. Davies, a native of Tennessee, 
becoming his wife. Of this union two children have been born, Richard D. and Thomas M. The 
family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Mr. Sides serving as trustee. In 
his political preference he is a Democrat, and always cast his vote with that party, except when 
Abraham Lincoln was a candidate. While a resident of Dent county. Mo., he represented his 
district in the state legislature two terms, serving his constituents in an efficient manner. Since be- 
coming a resident of California he has never been an aspirant for official honors. He has always 
been a friend of education and been a supporter and advocate of a high standard of schools and 
instructors. In all of his social and business relations with the people he has always adhered 
to the principles of fair dealing and strict business integrity; has always supported those meas- 
ures which he considered worthy of his co-operation, and by his public spirit has attained a posi- 
tion as one of the leading citizens of Selma and Fresno county. 

Transcriber note: Burial: North Selma Cemetery , Selma, Fresno County, California, USA
Died: Dec. 2, 1923