Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Dicken, John
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


JOHN DICKEN, a venerable and well-known citizen of 
Cumberland Valley township, Pa., has been identified with 
its agricultural interests as a successful farmer and 
stock-raiser for a longer period, perhaps, than any other 
man now living. A son of Moses Dicken, he was born not far 
from his present home, October 14, 1814.  His paternal 
grandfather, Amos Dicken, the founder of the Dicken family 
in Bedford County, was a pioneer settler of Cumberland 
Valley.  He is said to have been of English ancestry.
  Moses Dicken served as a soldier in the War of 1812.  He 
subsequently settled on a farm in Cumberland Valley, and 
until his death, in his seventy-eighth year, was 
successfully engaged in the various branches of husbandry.  
Capable and trustworthy, he enjoyed the confidence of his 
fellow-citizens, and for several years held the office of 
Tax Collector.  He was a stanch Democrat in politics and a 
consistent member of the Methodist Protestant church.  Of 
his union with Elizabeth Brill, also a lifelong resident of 
Bedford County, a number of children were born, of whom the 
following still live: John, the special subject of this 
sketch; Henry; Mary A., widow of the late John Davis, of 
Maryland; Solomon, of whom a brief sketch may be found on 
another page of this volume; Ruth, widow of the late Francis 
Rice, of Cumberland Valley, Pa.; and Elizabeth, wife of 
James H. Brotmarkle, of Illinois.
  John Dicken attended the subscription schools when young, 
and in the rude log school-house, furnished with primitive 
desks and slab seats, acquired his elementary education.  
Succeeding to the occupation in which he was reared, he has 
won a place of prominence among the most successful and 
thorough-going farmers of his neighborhood, and is a typical 
representative of the old and highly respected settlers of 
the township.  He owns a farm of about three hundred and 
thirty acres.  Mr. Dicken has served many years as Road 
Supervisor and Constable, and has also held the office of 
School Director.  For several years, in connection with 
farming, he did a good deal of auctioneering in this 
vicinity, being one of the most popular men in that line 
that could be found.  He is an active member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united when young.
  In 1833 Mr. Dicken married Elizabeth Elliott, who was born 
in Cumberland Valley, a daughter of Thomas Elliott and a 
sister of George Elliott, of Cumberland Valley.  Of the 
twelve children that blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Dicken, seven are now living, namely: Thomas W., of Cowley 
County, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of D. S. Evans, of Bedford 
County, Pennsylvania; Rebecca, wife of James Hardinger, of 
Cumberland Valley; Priscilla, wife of George S. Hite, of 
Cumberland Valley; John C., also of Cumberland Valley; Alice 
L., widow of the late Lewis Zambower, of Cumberland Valley; 
and Charles F., who is employed in the government service in 
Washington, D.C.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa