John Firmon Van Sykel

     John Firmon was born on Sunday, 20 December 1829 in Sussex County, New Jersey. He was the son of Samuel & Sarah Van Syckel. John married Lydia C. Townsend, daughter of Samuel Townsend and Asenath Badgley, on 15 April 1862 in Michigan. 17 August 1870, John and his wife, Lydia, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were John Van Sickle [40 New Jersey], his wife: Lydia C. [40 New York], Andrew [13 Michigan].¹ 12 June 1880, John and his wife, Lydia, were listed on the U.S. Federal Census in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan. Enumerated in this household were John F. Van Sickle [50 New Jersey], his wife: Lydia [49 New York], cousin: Clara Kitchen [12 Indiana], William Hammel [27 Michigan][farmer] & Belle E. [27 Michigan].² John's wife, Lydia, died on 8 March 1893 in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan, leaving him a widower. John departed this life on Friday, 6 August 1915 in Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan.

Obituary: John Firman Van Sykel was born at Green, Sussex Co., N. Y., December 20, 1829, amd passed away at his home near Plainfield August 6, 1915, making him 85 years, 7 months and 14 days old. 78 years of which were lived in Unadilla Township. He came to Michigan with his parents in 1836, living one year in Dexter. From there they moved onto the Dunn farm at Plainfield , also made a home for a short time in a log house on the Dyer place just east of where the M. P. parsonage now stands. His father then bought the farm now owned by Edgar Van Syckel where he lived until he was married to Lydia Townsend April 15, 1862, locating on a part of the old homestead for a few years before settling on the farm that has been his home for the past 45 years.
In 1893, death entered that home and claimed the faithful companion of 31 years. While he did not identify with any particular church, he was a regular contributor to the Presbyterian church of Plainfield, where his wife was a consistent member of a number of years previous to her death. He retained all of his faculties to a remarkable degree until about four weeks ago, when his strength began to fail rapidly. His suffering, though intense at times was patiently borne. He was grateful for every kindness shown him and especially appreciated the tender care given him by the friends who ministered to his last earthly needs.
Early in 1860, he was one of the number instrumental in securing the charter for the Masonic lodge here, of which he has been a loyal member for 55 years and the only charter member living. Funeral services were held from the house Monday under the auspices of the Masonic order. Interment at Plainfield.³

He was buried at Unadilla Township, Livingston County, Michigan, in the Plainfield Village Cemetery.^4,5