In 1911, Woodrow Wilson, when Governor, appointed him and former State Attorney General Edmund Wilson, of Red Bank, as a commission to study the proposed abandonment of the Morris Canal. The report was adverse to the State taking over the canal. The Justice aided in the drafting of the “Seven Sisters” Acts, passed during the Wilson administration, which were designed to curb the activities of the trusts in New Jersey.

Justice Van Syckel was a lover of outdoor sports. In his younger days he played town ball and football and later was a great admirer of baseball. He rode horseback, played golf and was a fine wing shot. In politics he was a Democrat, but politics had no place with him while he sat on the Bench.

Mr. Van Syckel married Miss Mary Elizabeth Sloane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hand Sloane. He is survived by two sons, Charles S. and William S., and a daughter, Bessie.

Judge William R. Francis.

Former New Jersey State Senator and former Supreme Court Judge of Dakota, William R. Francis, died in the City Hospital in Newark, this State, on Dec. 15th last, aged 82 years. His death was the result of a fall in the bedroom of his home, 324 S. Orange Ave., Newark.

Judge Francis was born in Connecticut. He was a graduate from Oberlin College and then came to Newark, where he became a member of the law firm of Titsworth, Francis & Marsh. He served as city counsel of Newark from 1871 to 1875 and in the State Senate from 1879 to 1881. In 1882 Mr. Francis went to Dakota. At that time the two Dakotas were united in a territory of the United States. After completing his term as Supreme Court Judge there he became attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad. About twenty years ago he returned to Newark. Mr. Francis was a Master in Chancery and had offices with Scharringhausen & Hartpence, 800 Broad street. Mr. Francis is survived by a widow, who was Miss Annie Yeomans of Newark. He is also survived by a niece, Mrs. C. L. Bryant of Danbury, Conn., and a cousin, Miss Mary Francis, of Newark.

Transcriber Notes:

Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of the speakers. Those words were retained as-is.