James E. Dickey  
Branch Co, MI 
 
JAMES E. DICKEY, Biography 
 
************************** 
Submitted for use by USGENWEB Branch County, Michigan November 2002 
Janet Wilkinson Schwartz. 
 
MIGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be 
reproduced in any format for  
profit or presentation by any other organization or persons.  Persons or 
organizations  
desiring to use this material must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or 
the 
legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed MIGenWeb archivist 
with proof 
of this consent.  The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives 
to store the 
file permanently for free access. 
************************** 
 
 
A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Branch County, 
Michigan, Rev. Henry P. Collin, ed.  New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 
1906. 
 
JAMES E. DICKEY, successfully and energetically carrying on the occupation of 
farming, was born November 8, 1869, in Coldwater township, upon the farm on 
which he yet resides.  His father, GEORGE W. DICKEY, was a native of Niagara 
county, New York, born on the 24th of January, 1845, and when but nine years of 
age was brought to Michigan by his parents,  JAMES and MARY (APPLEBY) 
DICKEY, both of whom were natives of New York, in which state they were 
reared and married, removing from there to Michigan at an early period in the 
development of Branch county.  They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers, 
and the DICKEY family has since been one of the most respected as well as one 
of the oldest families of this part of the state. 
 
GEORGE DICKEY, from the age of nine years was reared in Quincy and 
Coldwater townships and with the family shared in the usual experiences of life 
on the frontier, far removed from the comforts and civilization of the older east 
until these were secured through the persistent labor and enterprise of the early 
settlers.  Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming in order 
to provide for his family and thereby acquired a comfortable competence.  The 
DICKEYS lived in Quincy township until 1865, when they came to the present 
family homestead on section thirty-six, Coldwater township, securing one 
hundred and thirty acres of land, which was cleared and placed under cultivation 
by GEORGE DICKEY and others of the family.  It was on the 2nd of April, 1868, 
that GEORGE DICKEY was united in marriage to Miss ABIGAL McCONNELL, 
who was born in Coldwater township, Branch county, Michigan, July 17, 1848, a 
daughter of HENRY and PHOEBE (WHITEHEAD) McCONNELL, who were 
prominent pioneer people of the county. 
 
In public affairs relating to the community and its progress GEORGE DICKEY 
was deeply and helpfully interested, finding time in the midst of arduous business 
duties to aid in the work of general improvement.  He served as supervisor for 
eight terms, for township treasurer for two terms, school director and assessor for 
two terms, and in all these offices was found prompt and reliable in the discharge 
of his duties.  His political support was given the Republican party, and he was a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Select Knights and the 
Grange.  He died April 16, 1887,  respected by all who knew him, and leaving 
behind the record of an honorable, upright life.  His wife, who was a consistent 
member of the Baptist church of Coldwater, passed away May 1, 1901. 
 
In the family of this worthy couple were eight children: HOMER, who died at the 
age of three months; JAMES E.; LILLIAN, born November 23, 1871; Mrs. MARY 
DUBENDORF, who was born September 10, 1873, and is living in Ovid; 
GEORGE R., a resident of Coldwater, who was born December 13, 1877, and 
married MYRTLE OLMSTEAD; LENA B., born September 6, 1880; RAY H. and 
ROY L., twins, born March 18, 1886. 
 
Five of the children, including JAMES E. DICKEY, still reside upon the old 
homestead and since the death of the parents Mr. DICKEY of this review has 
been the head of the family, assisted by his sisters.  Seldom does a family 
remain together in such harmony, but they are all working for a common interest 
and are making of the farm a splendidly improved property.  In his political views 
JAMES E. DICKEY has always been an earnest Republican and is now serving 
as justice of the peace of Coldwater township and also as school assessor, and 
to these duties he brings the same fidelity and unselfish spirit which 
characterizes him in the management of the estate and the care of the younger 
members of the family.