Judge Sidney Sanner
Custer County
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

Sidney Sanner, of Miles City, occupies among the leaders 
of the legal profession as one of high credit and 
distinction.  He assumed the duties of judge of the 
district court on January 1, 1909 and on November 5, 
1912 was elected to the supreme bench of the state of 
Montana.  As a lawyer Mr. Sanner took a foremost place 
among the leading practioners at the local bar, his gifts 
as a speaker and his capacity for a close logical reasoning 
making him a peculiarly forceful and effective advocate.  
As a judge he has made a record that holds out a stimulus 
and example to all men who are called upon to bear the 
high responsibilities of a place upon the bench.

Judge Sanner was born in Maryland in 1873 and is a son of 
James B. and Maria Beetley Sanner, natives of Maryland and 
Virginia, respectively, and the parents of thirteen 
children.  The father was a soldier in the Confederate 
ranks during the War Between the States and both he and 
his wife were descended from Revolutionary stock.

Judge Sanner was thrown upon his own resources at a very 
early age and until he reached the age of fifteen his 
education was wholly self directed.  At fifteen he came 
to Helena and commenced to work his way through Helena 
high school and in 1892 was graduated.  In the meantime 
he had given all his spare time to the study of law and 
after his graduation he continued his studies under 
Judge H.C. smith and was admitted to the bar in 1893.  
During the next two years he practiced in Helena and 
then spent four years at Big Timber in 1899 coming to 
Miles City where he formed a local partnership with 
Judge George Milburn.  This association was dissolved 
by mutual consent after a short and Mr. Sanner began 
to practice alone, building up a large clientele.  
Once in Sweet Grass County and gain in Custer County 
he was the candidate for the office of County Attorney 
but on each occasion political conditions were such as 
to nullify his chances for election.  From 1903 -1907 
he served as a member of the high school board and in 
1908 was chosen to the city council.  During the same 
year he was elected to the office of district judge 
taking his place on the bench in January 1909.