The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-12-30
GILBERT NJ. SYKES
Dorset. VT, Dec. Is, 1920

1 III AHt ttaNi vi Aiif AhNifs
4 Gilbert NJ. Sykes il is a pleasure to
say something that shall serve as a
tribute TO life that has been Of sin
gular significance and value. The
town of Dorset, in which Mr.. Sykes
was born and in which he spent nearly
his entire life, has been fortunate in
having that life spent here. II is the
type Of life that has been Characters
tic in New England and for which
New England thanks God. II is such
lives Of profound earnestess, Of vivify-
ing power, Of sweet reasonableness
and great love that in every commun-
ity large and small have stabilized our
institutions, have insured our liberties
and fulfilled our ideals. 1t is such
lives, in the many and varied crises
that the country or the communities
are called upon TO face from time to
time, that stand for rightness by hold
ing steadily TO the basic principles Of
h nor and justice, mistaken in their
clear vision by the glitter OF false or
short sighted notions however plaus-
ible, whether political, religious or
mo-..l. II is such lives, permeating
and injecting the life Of us all, that
have made our whole loved country
the country that il is, quickest ard
surest in all the world in its response
to real demands for support Of ideals
for better living and better being for
ourselves or for the world.
Some such lives are lived by men
who become famous and some by men
who are known only by those who are
near and close, but we may each thank
God for every such. life that, when 1t
touches US, never fails to make things
sweeter and nobler and life by so
much better worth living.
Mr.. Sykes was born on his fathers
home farm about a mile north Of the
village, November 20, 1884, the eldest
Of FIVE brothers and two sisters. As a
young man he was in business in Bos-
ton for several years, and while there
met and married Miss Lydia X. Green
leaf Of Bradford, Mass. He returned
10 Dorset with his bride In 1859 and
established the general store which he
conducted until 1918 when he retired
from active life He joined the Dorset
Church in July 1851, and was made
deacon in January 1861, an Office
which he held until his death, being
senior deacon since 1902. and he was
for twenty-five years superintendent
81 the Sunday school. He was an
upright Christian, unfailins
and eager in every effort for the vel
fsre Of the church and the spread OF
The Christian spirit In the community,
md he always carried his Christian ,
principles into every detail Of his bust /,
mes. and public life. That he was
nan Of answering integrity IL well /,
Known by everyone who ever had bust
ness dealings with him He was al
ways among the leaders in all matters
" public and civic interest, in educa- ,
.ioal improvements and In all public
welfare. In recognition Of this he was ,
sent twice to the State Legislature and
n 1850 70 the State Senate. During ,
bis terms Of public service At the State |
Capitol the same sterling qualities
hat, under his quiet and unobtrusive
exterior had made him q valued msn
among his neighbors, won for him
high regard in the larger field and he
made many lifelong friends among
he Leading men o. the state. His real
IN Christian work was no; confined 70
the home town. He was one Of a
number who made possible the very
remarkable record Of the Dorset
Church for years in its generous gifts
% both Home and Foreign Missions
Re was for many years Corporate
Member Il the American Beard q
ro-eirr Missions and followed is