Sidney was born 1 October 1864 in Lawrence County, PA. The 1880 Census shows Sidney living at home with ten siblings. In 1894 at the age of 29 Sidney married Mollie Litzinger in PA.
By the 1900 Census Sidney and wife Mollie lived on a farm in Hillville, St Marys County, MD with his father Amos and brother Everett.
As of 1915 Sidney was President of S. A. Ripple & Brothers, Inc, broom manufacturers in Baltimore, MD.
With the World War in progress Sidney was sent overseas by Army transport on the Empress of Britain out of New York as a Private in the First Coffee Blenders Detachment.
By the 1920 Census Sidney was home, living in Baltimore, MD with wife Mollie and five-year-old Melvin R Colliflower. Sidney worked as an employer at his own broom factory.
In the 1930 Census Sidney was listed as a widower, Melvin as a son (adopted), and Elizabeth Laughlin (his widowed sister) living with them. He owned his home valued at $10,000 and was President of the broom factory business.
The 1940 Census confirmed that Sidney still lived in Baltimore, his sister Elizabeth resided with him, and he owned his home valued at $2,000.
Sidney died 9 May 1941 in Baltimore at the age of 76 and was buried in the Whatcoat Section of Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore, MD next to his wife.