Albert Van Sickle's biography, Essex Township, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. 
This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY, 1906
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Page 90 - 93 
Photo available: A. L. Van Sickle and Family

ALBERT L. VAN SICKLE
        Thoroughly progressive and modern in all his methods of farming, Albert L.
Van Sickle is successfully conducting his home place of one hundred and
seventy-four acres which lies partially in Clinton and partially in Gratiot
County within two miles of Maple Rapids. He was born in Essex Township,
Clinton County, October 2, 1862. His paternal grandfather was Cornelius Van
Sickle, who became as early settler of Ohio, whence he afterward removed to
Michigan, casting in his lot with the pioneers of Clinton County. He
established his home in the town of Essex and met the usual experiences and
hardships of life on the frontier but aided in laying broad and deep the
foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. His son,
Lyman Van Sickle, was born in Ohio in 1834 and was reared to manhood in his
county amid frontier environments. He wedded Miss Martha McPherson, who was
born in Ohio and came to Michigan with her father, Stephen McPherson, who
was another of the old settlers of Michigan, living in Essex Township.
Lyman Van Sickle became a farmer of Essex Township and there devoted his
energies to agricultural pursuits until 1861, when he joined Company G, of
the Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He was taken prisoner at the battle of
Gettysburg and incarcerated at Andersonville, where he died on the 31st of
August 1863. His wife survived him and reared their family, doing a
mother's full duty toward the little ones left to her care.
        Albert L. Van Sickle was only about a year old at the time of his father's
death. He spent his youth in Essex Township and was educated in the schools
of maple Rapids. Later he became identified with commercial interests in
the village, conducting a general store and later a hardware business.
Subsequently he sold out and took up his abode upon a farm but afterward
again embarked in general merchandising and was thus connected with
commercial interests in Maple Rapids for seven years. On again disposing of
his stock of goods he located on his farm and now gives his time and
attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He now owns
one hundred and seventy-four acres of land lying partially in Clinton and
partially in Gratiot County and constituting a very valuable and productive
farm, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful
supervision and practical methods.
        Mr. Van Sickle was married in Maple Rapids, in 1885, to Miss Fannie S.
Moss, who was born and reared in this county, pursuing her education in the
schools of Maple Rapids, after which she engaged in teaching prior to her
marriage. Her father, Hiram L. Moss, was another worthy pioneer settler of
the county. Mr. and Mrs Van Sickle have become the parents of eight
children, Inez, Moss, Glen, Hazel, Harry, Paul, Florence and Gerald.
        Mr. Van Sickle votes with the democratic party where national issues are
involved but wisely disregards party ties at local elections where there is
no political issue before the people and only the capability of the
candidate should be considered. He believes in good schools and the
employment of competent teachers and is now serving for the second term as
a member of the school board. He belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees, a
fraternal insurance organization, and also carries insurance in some of the
old-line companies. He is a man of good business ability, active, diligent
and prosperous, and has always been connected with Clinton County and its
people so that his life history is well known to his fellow townsmen and
that he has made a creditable record is indicated by the fact that many of
his staunchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the
present time.