Background
He was the youngest son of Edward Sidebottom, and was born at "The Hydes", Stalybridge, Cheshire.
He was the youngest son of Edward Sidebottom, and was born at "The Hydes", Stalybridge, Cheshire.
James attended Manchester Grammar School before becoming a member of the family cotton manufacturing firm of Edward Sidebottom and Sons.
The Sidebottoms were a prominent family in the town, both in business and administrative matters. When the town was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1857, he was elected as one of the corporation"s first aldermen. In 1864 he was chosen as mayor of the borough, and held the office for three years in succession.
As mayor he laid the foundation stone of the Victoria Market Hall in 1868.
Sidebottom was nominated as the Conservative candidate, and was elected as the town"s first Member of Parliament. He became ill in 1870, and died at his residence "Acre Banks", Stalybridge, in February 1871, aged 46.
20th United Kingdom Parliament]
Sidebottom entered the local government of Stalybridge as a member of the police commissioners. In 1868 Stalybridge was enfranchised as a parliamentary borough, returning one Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) to the House of Commons.