RIGMNVanSlyck

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NICHOLAS VAN SLYCK 1829-1892

Grand Master 1873-1876

BIOGRAPHY

From History of Freemasonry in Rhode Island, 1895, Page 332:

Nicholas Van Slyck was born in the village of White Plains, near Kinderhook, N. Y., July 28, 1829, and died in Providence, March 3, 1892. His father, Hugh Van Slyck, was a prominent citizen in the Kinderhook region, where his ancestors had resided for many generations.

Nicholas was a lad of energy and application, affording a good illustration, of the proverb, "the boy is father of the man." After completing his elementary studies in the "district school," he entered "Kinderhook Academy," and under the able instruction of his teacher and principal, Silas Metcalf, pursued an advanced course of study in the classics and mathematics, preparatory to a collegiate life. In the fall of 1846, he entered the sophomore class-of Williams College, from which he graduated three years later.

In accordance with his father's desires, he entered upon the study of medicine, but having no fondness for that profession, soon turned his attention to the study of law. He was admitted to the bar at Albany, in 1850, and practiced as a lawyer for five years in New York city. He came to Providence in 1855 and this city was thenceforth his home until the time of his death. Shortly after taking up his residence in Providence he entered into partnership with George H. Browne, and this partnership continued until the death of Col. Browne, in 1885. Afterwards the subject of this sketch associated with himself in his extensive law business, his son, Cyrus M. Van Slyck.

As a lawyer the brother of whom we write, held high rank. He was quick to discern the weak and the strong points in any case with which he was connected. He had tact, as well as mental force and legal ability, and an eloquent power of speech that counted for much before jurors and in the public assembly. The esteem in which he was regarded professionally was strikingly illustrated by his long term of service as City Solicitor, commencing in the year 1874 and continuing until his decease, being annually elected to this important office by a body composed very largely of his political opponents. During these years, the rapid growth of the city, the undertaking of many material improvements by the City Government, and the discussion and settlement of various complicated questions, taxed his resources severely, but he was always found equal to the demand, and to his vigilant care of municipal interests and wise judgment, the city of Providence is greatly indebted.

He was Colonel of the Providence Artillery in 1858, and at the breaking out of the Civil War went to the front as Captain of Co. B, First Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, returning with it at the expiration of its term of service. He aided in organizing the Ninth Rhode Island Regiment of Volunteers, and was appointed as Lieut. Colonel of the same, but was never mustered in on his commission. His patriotic ardor would have taken him to the front and kept him there, had not imperative domestic reasons held him back.

He had interest in public affairs and was frequently called to serve his fellow citizens in important positions. He was a member of the Common Council, Providence, from 1870 to 1874, serving the last of the two years thus designated as President of the body. He was for many years a member of the School Commitee, being its presiding officer for thirteen years. He was a representative in the General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1861, 1862 and 1875.

He was made a Mason in What Cheer Lodge, No. 21, Providence, October 6, 1857, being its first initiate, and was elected Junior Warden in 1859, Senior Warden in i860, Worshipful Master in 1861. He filled the office of Deputy Grand Master in 1864 and again in 1872, and was Grand Master of Masons of the State of Rhode Island for the four years, 1873-1876.

He received the degrees of Capitular Masonry in Providence Royal Arch Chapter in 1861. He was Deputy Grand High Priest in 1882, 1883, and Grand High Priest in 1884. He was created a Knight of the Temple in Calvary Commandery, Providence, in 1862; was Junior Warden in 1864, Generalissimo in 1870, and was elected Eminent Commander in 1871, but declined to serve, as he had been elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which position he filled for two years. He was chosen Grand Warder of the Grand Encampment of the United States in 1883, Grand Sword Bearer in 1886, Grand Junior Warden in 1889. He was received into the Ancient and Accepted Rite in 1860, and in 1882 was crowned with the Honorary Thirty-third Degree in the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction.

In all these departments of Masonic expression Col. Van Slyck made excellent proof of his possession of the qualities of a noble manhood. He had the acquisitions of Masonic lore. He was familiar with the work and practice of all legitimate bodies. He was a Master of Masonic jurisprudence. Beyond all this enrichment of mind—beyond an attractive presence and , a forceful address—he had the affections and sensibilities which brought him into sympathetic touch with his brethren and gave him a warm place in their hearts. He had the spirit of fraternity in all its fullness, and his daily life was redolent with the sweetness and power thus incited. His presence was welcome in any Masonic gathering, and his words carried weight because of the generous heart feeling that pervaded them—because of the conviction on the part of his hearers that an honest man and a loving brother was declaring himself by and through such expressions. The present writer, associated with Col. Van Slyck for a long term of years in several Masonic bodies, especially in Templar relations, knows full well how great his influence was in these various organizations and how nobly it was exercised for wise and benign purposes. In the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and in the Grand Encampment of the United States, he was a potent force, ranked as of right among those worthy leaders who mark the forward way of the illustrious Order of Knights Templars. In all relations of life—domestic, social, public, Masonic— this man made expression of a worthy manhood. He was genial and kind hearted, progressive in thought and purposes, always disposed to favor measures looking to the welfare of the community, and offering helps and ministries in the way of education or humane service. He had Christian faith, and he lived and died sustained by its grand inspirations.

On March 7, 1892, his funeral was solemnized. Brethren and friends attended the family to Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, where the body of the departed Craftsman was committed to the embrace of mother earth. The Masonic ritual was used in the burial service conducted by the Grand Master and a few chosen brethren. It was the end; and yet not the end; "for all that is real now remaineth, and fadeth never."


Rhode Island People