Clarence Belknap, Sidney's oldest brother, wrote an untitled biography. In it he says, "In December of this year [1887], Sidney was born, the last of our family of seven [children]. The first born was what is called a blue baby, and survived but a few days, so there were six of us now. Sidney was a lively, alert child and had earned the nickname of the "Bad Boy" by the time he was two years old for his propensity for mischief and doing everything he shouldn't."

Clarence later writes, "During the first summer, Sidney came up [to Ceylon, Minnesota] to work for me when school was out in June, and later Cole came also during vacation at Iowa State. Sid was quite sick a few days toward fall, with pain in his abdomen, but we didn't call the doctor, and he soon recovered, but I think now it was a mild case of appendicitis, which a recurrent attack took his life, a few months later."

He also said that Sid died three days after his 15th birthday. Clarence and Sid also had a brother, Merritt, who died from appendicitis in 1893, a day after his 16th birthday.

The other children in the family included Cole, Grace and Maude. Cole is buried in the Tenhassen cemetery in Martin County, Minnesota.

Contributor: Liz Wheeler (49066637) • [email protected]
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Mr. Sidney Belknap was taken very sick last Monday with appendicitis. The disease developed so speedily that the attending physician, Dr. Bartine found it necessary to perform an operation. Last Saturday Dr. Mc Grath of Eagle Grove and Dr. Peppers of Holmes were summoned to assist Dr. Bartine in the operation. The operation so far is successful and the patient is reported as doing nicely. –Goldfield

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, December 10, 1902
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Clarence Belknap and wife were called to the death bed of the former's brother, Sidney, who died last week Tuesday evening at 10 o'clock of appendicitis; an operation was performed on the previous Saturday but it seems that it had already gone too far to save the boy. His brother, Cole, from Ames was sent for but he did not reach home until after Sydney's departure. The deceased was 15years old the day of his operation, he was sick but a short time having been in the high school attending his work about a week before his death. He was the youngest in the family of F. A. Belknap.

The entire family stand in high respect and esteem in this entire section where they have lived for many years. All join in extending to the bereaved their heart felt sympathy. –Goldfield

The Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Wednesday, December 17, 1902
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A sad event was the death on Tuesday night, December 9, of Sidney Belknap, youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Belknap. He was fifteen years of age and had only been out of school one week.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. church Thursday afternoon, Rev. Mr. Gardner delivering the sermon. Rev. Mr. Findley and Prof. Benson assisted in the devotional exercises. Rev. Mr. Gardner very touchingly alluded to the boy's last words to his mother, "that he was trusting in God and was willing to die." The entire service was a beautiful one. The scholars formed in line on each side of the church steps, both at the beginning and the close of the services, through which the casket was borne by some of his classmates. Three grades of the school gave lovely floral offering. The members of his Sunday school class and others gave fitting floral gifts. Many relatives were present, among them his brother, Clarence, and wife, of Minn., Frank Sills and family, of Boone township and many others. Mr. Belknaps people are old settlers here and a host of friends sympathize with them in their bereavement. –Goldfield

The Times Gazette --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Friday, December 19, 1902

Contributor: E. Reed