Franklin Sidway (1834)

Born 23 Jul 1834 in Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Russ [send private message]

Biography

Franklin Sidway, son of Jonathan Sidway, is one of Buffalo's leading citizens. Mr. Sidway's business activities have covered a period of many years and have represented commercial pursuits, banking, land and many other interests. In addition to his business enterprises, Mr. Sidway has always borne a prominent part in the social life and general citizenship of Buffalo. He was born in Buffalo July 23, 1834, educated in private schools, Canandaigua Academy, George W. Francis's school at Yonkers, and other institutions. He made a trip to Europe in 1853. On his return to Buffalo he organized the firm of Sidway, Skinner & Moore, general ship chandlers and grocers, and the partnership continued to exist to the time of the Civil War.

About the middle period of the war Mr. Sidway was commissioned Colonel of Volunteers, with authority to raise a regiment. He recruited several companies, but owing to the fact that the payment of bounties was stopped about the time he began to organize the regiment, the organization was not completed, and the men were afterward transferred to another regiment.

Later he became Cashier and afterwards Vice-President of the Farmers' & Mechanics' National Bank, and continued until the affairs of the institution were wound up in 1898.

Mr. Sidway has served as Trustee of the Buffalo Savings Bank and the Buffalo City Cemetery (Forest Lawn). He is at the present time identified with many business interests. He is a life member of the Buffalo Library, a member of the Historical Society and former Treasurer and a trustee of the Buffalo General Hospital. He has all his life preserved a keen interest in athletics and out-door sports. He was a member of the old Forester Gun Club, was one of the first four-oared crews ever organized in Buffalo, and was President of the Buffalo Toxophiliter, the Archery Club of Buffalo. He is a member and Ex-President of the Buffalo Club, was for a number of years President of the Falcon wood Club; and at the present time belongs to the Country and Ellicott clubs.

In 1866 Mr. Sidway married Miss Charlotte Spaulding, daughter of the late Hon. Elbridge Gerry Spaulding. The surviving children are: Harold Spaulding, a resident of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, married Mary Chase of Buffalo. They have two children, James and Franklin; Frank St. John; Edith, who married William Allan Gardner, have two children, William Hamilton, and Nancy Strong Gardner; Clarence Spaulding, married Genevieve C. Kingston, daughter of Edward J. Kingston of Buffalo. They have two children, Elbridge Spaulding and Charlotte.

Sources

• Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York, Volume 1, pg 142
• 1865 U.S. Census for Western NY
• No. 576, pg 196 - The St. John genealogy; descendants of Matthias St. John, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1634, of Windsor, Connecticut, 1640, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, 1643-1645, and Norwalk, Connecticut, 1650 by Alexander, Orline St. John Alexander Published 1907
• The history of the descendants of Elder John Strong, No. 1790-1, pg. 116