BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Theo J. Dickerson; Auburn, Cayuga co., New York

transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com)

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA
COUNTY NEW YORK
BOSTON
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY
1894

DR. THEO J. DICKERSON, vitapathic physician of Auburn, is a man of wide
experience, and one who has given much time and thought to the study of
disease and the processes of alleviating suffering. The vitapathic school is
not so well known in this State as some of the other forms of practice, it
being among the results of the later investigations of the century. This
school treats diseases by the use of force, magnetism, or electricity from
either personal or mechanical origin.

 Theo J. Dickerson was born in Shawangunk, Ulster County, N.Y., son of
William H. and Catherine S. (Weller) Dickerson. His father, who was a farmer
and merchant, removed to Newburg on the Hudson when Theo was but thirteen,
and afterward moved to Meriden, Conn. His mother was of German descent, and
had spent her youth in New England. After the death of her husband she moved
with her family to New Haven, Conn., where she lived the remainder of her
life. They were members of the old Dutch Reformed church.

 After receiving a good common-school education the future physician
learned the trade of machinist at Newburg, and for twenty years worked at
that, going West to Kansas, where there was a much better opening for
mechanics. He lived for a time at Topeka, then travelled through the State,
and was there during the border difficulty.  The excitements and dangers of
that  time appealed to young Dickerson; and he  joined the heroic little
band of John Brown, and went with him in his noble defence of freedom.  He
was with him at Osawatomie, Topeka, Lawrence,  and  Fort Riley, Doniphan,
and Solomon City.  Dr. Dickerson with one companion laid  out the latter
place,  there being but  one log house there at their arrival.  He
established a ferry across the Solomon  River.  He had the contract from the
United  States government to carry  the  mails  between  Solomon  City
and Junction City; and that,  at the time of the "border ruffians" and
Missourimarauders, was an undertaking which required much care and
courage. While he was at Solomon City, the slavery troubles constantly 
increased, and war was imminent.  Early in the conflict Dr. Dickerson 
enlisted in  Company C, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, and, marching through Kansas
and Arkansas, participated in the battles of Springfield, Mo.,  Drywood,  
Cabin  Creek, Fort Riley, and Fort Scott.  Three years and four  months 
he  spent in the volunteer service, being Commissary Sergeant; but near
the close of the war he resigned that position, and went into the ranks
as a private.

 After the close of the war, in the fall of 1864, he came to Auburn and
engaged as a machinist until 1871, and then went into the railroad mail
service, running from Fair Haven to Sayre, Pa., and afterward from Syracuse
to Rochester on the Auburn division of the New York Central Railroad, and
then on the main line and on the Lake Shore Railroad between New York City
and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1881 he began the practice of the magnetic
treatment, at the same time studying the system, and afterward attending
lectures in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the American Health College, from which he
graduated, receiving his diploma in 1886; and since that time he has
practised the vitapathic system of medicine. He received the degree of M.D.
in 1885 from the Michigan State Society of Rational Medicine. He has made a
specialty of chronic diseases and cancers, and with this branch has been
eminently successful.

 Dr. Dickerson married Mary E. Stone, of Auburn. The Doctor has established
an excellent practice in this city, and his reputation and the report of the
many remarkable cures he has accomplished have brought to him many cases
from distant parts of the State. This system of practice, though new to this
region, has been shown in all its merits through the excellent management of
Dr. Dickerson. He is a man peculiarly fitted for the work he has undertaken,
and the respect bestowed upon him by all those who employ him manifests the
success he has attained.