Dickinson, George

DICKINSON, WAGONER

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/8/2020 at 17:30:14

George Dickinson, farmer and stock-raiser, section 17, Clay Township, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Oct. 3, 1834 and is the son of Henry and Eliza Dickinson, both of whom were natives of New York. They were the parents of ten children: Julia, the wife of Johnson Barnes, a farmer in Clay Township; Hiram is a farmer residing in Clay Township; Olive is the wife of Wells de Wolf, a farmer in Republic County, Kan.; George, the subject of this sketch; Cyrus, a farmer in Clay Township; Emily, the wife of Reuben Ash, a farmer in Clay Township; Chloe, deceased, was the wife of Alfred Pringle; Mary E., the widow of James Fitch, resides in Taylor County, Iowa; James and John M. are farmers residing in Clay Township; Samuel is a farmer residing in Keokuk County, Iowa.

The family moved from Ohio in 1846, starting to Wisconsin, but on arriving in Montrose found the river so low as to render it unnavigable. They were then persuaded by William Reed to come to Washington County, Iowa. On arriving in this county he purchased 160 acres, it being the claim of and early settler. In the fall of 1857 he traded his farm for three yoke of cattle, with the intention of returning to Ohio. Changing his mind he rented a farm here, and here he has continued to reside, with the exception of six years spent in Wisconsin, where he purchased a farm. Returning to Washington County he bought fifty-nine acres of land which he continued to live till his death, which occurred in 1869. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always took and active interest in Church work. His widow yet survives him, making her home with her children. She is now seventy-eight years of age, and is in the enjoyment of good health. She was also a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch, George Dickinson, was reared upon a farm, and on the 17thd day of March, 1860, was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Wagoner, who was born March 17, 1840, in Virginia, and the daughter of Jacob and Catherine Wagoner, who were also natives of that State. She came from Virginia with her parents, making the trip from that State to Washington County, Iowa, by team. Her father died in February, 1887, and her mother is yet living in Clay Township. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have five children: John, born Feb. 13, 1861, is a farmer in Holt County, Neb.; Mary, born June 22, 1863; Charles, born June 8, 1866; Jacob F., born Sept. 3, 1869; Carrie, born Sept. 22, 1872. The first three are now living in Holt County, Neb., where they are the owners of 640 acres of land. In 1867 Mr. Dickinson purchased eighty acres of land in Clay Township, and at once began its improvement. He has since added thirty acres to his original purchase, and now has a farm of 120 acres of good land, all under fence and in a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Dickinson commenced life in Washington County in very limited circumstances, but has by industry and economy acquired a fine property. For a number of years he has been afflicted with weak eyes, and for some time the management of the farm has been in the hands of his sons. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson are members of the United Presbyterian Church. They have given each of their children a good education, thus fitting them for useful lives.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of George Dickinson, pages 524-527.