Henry Sidenbender

Henry Sidenbender

Henry Sidenbender was born on May 1, 1832, in Ross County, Ohio, to George and Ellen (Lewis) Sidenbender. In the early 1850s, the family moved to Carroll County, Indiana. In 1856, he married Harriet Dierdorff in Delphi, Indiana. They had 3 children. On September 18, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 2nd Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry (41st Indiana Volunteers). He was discharged on January 7, 1863, presumably due to wounds received at the Battle of Perryville the previous October. His younger brother Samuel had served in Company A, 9th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was promoted from Corporal to 1st Lieutenant. He resigned in June 1863. In February 1864, Henry and Samuel both enlisted in Company M, 11th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry (126th Indiana Volunteers). The 11th Indiana Cavalry was engaged at the Battles of Franklin and Nashville in November and December 1864, respectively. They were then assigned to dismounted duty in Alabama until May 1865 when they were transferred west to Rolla, Missouri, and later to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas guarding the Santa Fe Trail. Henry was promoted to Sergeant in May 1865. Samuel had been promoted to 1st Sergeant and was later promoted to 2nd then 1st Lieutenant, and was in command of the company at the time the regiment was mustered out on September 19, 1865. After the war, Henry returned to his family in Delphi, Indiana, but around 1870 they followed Samuel to Paris, Illinois, where both men were successful farmers. Henry and Samuel were both members of the Driscell Grand Army of the Republic Post #209 in Paris. Henry died there on May 22, 1907. Samuel passed away on May 11, 1902. Photograph and information submitted by Henry (and Samuel) Sidenbender's great great great nephew, Vince Barker, Commander, Old Abe Camp #8, Department of Wisconsin, SUVCW and Commander, Wisconsin Commandery, MOLLUS.

Henry Sidenbender