Obituary of William E. Sides - Montgomery County, Illinois This is Olin Clayton's paternal 3rd great Uncle "Free-Press" September 15, 1921 Issue Obituary of William Sides William E. Sides was born in Cabarros County, North Carolina on October 15, 1846 and departed this life at his home in Nokomis, Il, Wednesday, September 7, 1921, aged 74 years, 10 months and 22 days. When a child, he came to Illinois in 1849. They settled on a farm 12 miles northeast of Hillsboro, on what was then known as the Lipe farm. As a lad of 18, in those closing days of that great national struggle, perhaps the darkest days that our country ever knew, he heard his country's call for men to defend her flag and Constitution and answered that call by enlisting in Company C, Regiment 143rd Infantry and saw 90 days service. March 28, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice May Wells. To the union were born 12 children, three of whom preceded their father in death. After their marriage, Mr. & Mrs. Sides lived for awhile on a farm 5 miles south of Nokomis. They came to Nokomis about 30 years ago, where they reared their family. Mr. Sides was among the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Nokomis. As a man, he could be depended upon. He lived a clean straight forward life. He was always ready to lend a helping hand in any way that he could. When the Methodists put in the concrete floor in the basement of the parsonage, which was all done by donation work, he worked beyond his strength, along by the side of the older men. He will be greatly missed among friends and in the family circle. He was a good husband, a kind friend, a loving father and a honorable citizen. In early childhood he chose the Methodist Church as the church of his choice. Funeral services were conducted by Reverand J. S. Thorp, pastor of the Methodist Church, at the family residence Sunday afternoon, September 11, at 2:00 o'clock. His text was I Samuel 20:18. "Thou shalt be missed because Thy seat will be Empty." As a mere boy, he volunteered his service in defense of his country and at this dismal day, is one of our national heroes. A nation can only become as great as her heroes. Every deed of heroism is caught up and becomes a part of the nation's life. The Waples-Bauer Post of the American Legion was present in a body, as were 6 of the remaining members of the GAR. The American Legion had charge of the services at the grave. Interment was at Nokomis Cemetery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barb Clayton Montgomery County Genealogical Society