Gordon D. Sickles Dead

He Was For Years A. Republican Leader

One of the First to Join the Republican Party in Monmouth County - He Died on Sunday, After Five Years of Sickness

Gordon D. Sickles died at his home at Shrewsbury on Sunday, aged 73 years. He had been sick for about five years with a complication of diseases, rheumatism and jaundice being among the diseases with which he suffered. His foot was very badly scalded several yeas ago, while he was acting as foremen of E. C. Hazard's factory at Shrewsbury, and this injury had never healed, but was a constant source of pain up to the time of his death. He knew for several years that his recovery was impossible, but this had no apparent effect on his spirits. He was always in good spirits and never complained, even when suffering intense pain.

The funeral was held at Christ church, Shrewsbury, at half-past two o'clock this afternoon. The service was conducted by Rev. Benjamin Franklin. The interment was at Fair View.

Mr. Sickles was the son of Charlotte and John I. Sickles, and was born in the old Sickles homestead at Shrewsbury, now occupied by John R. Sickles, a son of John I. Sickles. He learned the harness making trade with Edward Bowne of Shrewsbury, and for many years was in the harness making business at Shrewsbury in partnership with Mr. Bowne. Mr. Sickles started a canning factory at Shrewsbury many years ago, which was afterward bought by E. C. Hazard and was transformed into one of the largest concerns in the East. Mr. Sickles's residence was also bought by Mr. Hazard. Mr. Sickles was foreman in Mr. Hazard's factory, which position he held until he was incapacitated for further work by sickness.

Mr. Sickles was a strong Republican, like all the other members of the Sickles family. He was a Republican from the birth of the party, and was one of the first in Monmouth county to declare for Fremont and Dayton in 1856. The Sickles boys, as they were called, consisted of several brothers and twenty to thirty years ago they were the dominating force in this part of the county. During the war, and shortly after the war, it was oftentimes necessary to be able to back up one's political opinions by something stronger than moral suasion, especially if one happened to be a Republican. The Sickles boys were never afraid to assert their political beliefs, and Gordon D. Sickles was perhaps the most outspoken of the lot. The "poll workers" of those days had to be men of physical courage as well as moral stamina, and the Sickles boys were all recognized as the Republican leaders. During the war Gordon Sickles, as well as the other members of the family, were staunch supporters of the flag and the Union.

In 1861 Gordon D. Sickles was appointed keeper of the Highland lighthouse by President Lincoln. He held this place six years, when he resigned. During the war he was enrolling clerk in Middletown township. For two years he was inspector of the state prison at Trenton. He served for several years as overseer of the poor, and he also held other township offices.

Mr. Sickles was twice married. His first wife was Miss Martha Burdge, sister of Edward Burdge of Navesink. He leaves one son by this wife, Richard Henry Sickles of Shrewsbury. His second wife was Olethea Noble of Philadelphia, who survives him. He leaves no children by his second marriage.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, July 7, 1897

Related Genealogy Resources:

• New Jersey Genealogy Queries - CousinConnect.com

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890

• - Death-Records.net

• NJ Cemetery Transcriptions on the Net - Interment.net

• Colonial New Jersey Source Records

• NJ Census Transcriptions - Census-Online.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760