Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Dickinson, John F 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 2:27 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

John F. Dickinson, of the firm of Dickinson & James, dealers in general 
hardware, agricultural implements, farm machinery, etc., at Erie, is a son of 
Chauncey B. and Clarissa (Ingles) Dickinson, and was born in Auburn, N. Y., 
Nov. 26, 1828. His father was a stone mason and dock builder on the Erie 
Canal, in New York, for a number of years. The parents were natives of New 
England, and the father died in Lockport, N. Y., in 1880, and the mother in 
Forestville, same State, in 1878. The issue of their union was seven children. 
Their record is as follows: Orlando E. enlisted in the late Civil War, was in 
the artillery service on the Potomac, was wounded and returned home to 
Lockport, where he died. Edward S. enlisted in the 13th Ill. Vol. Inf., was 
flag-bearer, then promoted First Lieutenant, and again as Government Inspector 
with rank as Major. Russell I. is a retired farmer, residing at Prophetstown, 
this county. Eliza A. is the widow of Daniel W. Parsons, formerly a farmer and 
merchant. Augustus enlisted in the 13th Ill. Vol. Inf., was promoted, 
discharged, re-enlisted and has never since been heard from, and is 
undoubtedly sleeping his last sleep in an unknown soldier's grave. John D., 
subject of this sketch, is next in order of birth. Louisa is the wife of 
Orland Elmore, a farmer in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In 1843, when 15 years of 
age, Mr. Dickinson came to Lawrence Co., Ill., and engaged in farming. He soon 
afterward went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in clerking, which he followed 
for two years and then went to Forestville, where he learned the harness 
trade, which he followed in connection with railroading several years. In the 
spring of 1860, Mr. Dickinson came to Erie, this county, and opened a harness-
shop, which he conducted till 1875 and then sold. In the spring of 1880 he 
opened a hardware store, at Erie, and in August of that year formed a 
partnership with R. T. James in the same business, the firm becoming Dickinson 
& James, and which relation exists at the present writing. They carry a well 
selected stock of goods adapted to the wants of their customers, own their 
building and warehouse and are doing a good business. Mr. D. owns his 
residence and five lots in the village. Mr. Dickinson was married Nov. 26, 
1848, to Miss Helen Ferguson. She was born Sept. 18, 1830, in Oneida Co., N. 
Y., and has borne him five children,—Orlando P. D., born Sept. 8, 1849; 
Harriet A., Nov. 1, 1851; Raymond F., born Jan. 10, 1855, died March 14, 1858; 
William W., born Oct. 8, 1858; and Samuel B., Dec. 27, 1862. Mrs. Dickinson 
died in Erie, June 22, 1866, and Mr. D. was again married, in Forestville, 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Jan. 30, 1867, to Miss Emma J. Cranston. She was born 
in Forestville, Nov. 22, 1835, and is the mother of one child, Martha W., born 
Oct. 29, 1868. Mr. Dickinson, politically, is a Democrat. He has been Chairman 
of the Township Democratic Committee 25 years, and is also a member of the 
Democratic County Committee. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic Order and 
was one of the charter members of Erie Lodge, No. 667, also charter member of 
Portland Odd Fellows Lodge and Eastern Star Lodge of Evangeline Chapter, No. 
53, and of the latter is a Past Grand Patron. He is also one of the Pilgrim 
Knights of the Palm and Shell Order of Jerusalem. Religiously, he is a member 
of the Baptist Church.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

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