BIOGRAPHY: Chalmers L. DICK, Cambria County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lynne Canterbury and Diann Olsen. Portions of this book were transcribed by Clark Creery, Martha Humenik, Betty Mirovich and Sharon Ringler. USGENWEB ARCHIVES (tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cambria/ ____________________________________________________________ From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 58-9 ____________________________________________________________ CHALMERS L. DICK, deceased, was a man remarkable in many ways. By profession he was a lawyer, and as a general practitioner he was very successful. He was born at Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1856, and was the only son of Rev. William and Virginia (Caldwell) Dick. Rev. Dick was a noted minister in the United Brethren church, and at the close of the war, in which he earned the affectionate title of "Captain Billy," he became pastor of the United Brethren church at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1868, with his family he removed to Johnstown, where he built the well-known stone church of that denomination and became its pastor. Rev. Dick died in 1871. His children are: Mrs. A. P. Shupe, Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Samuel Coombs, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Amos Graham, of Kearney, Nebraska, and Chalmers L. Chalmers L. Dick received his early education in the common schools, and after graduating from the High school took a course at the Otterbein University of Ohio; being thus well equipped, he entered the law office of Judge James Potts, of Johnstown, and completed his study of law in the office of Horace Rose. In 1878 he passed a brilliant examination and was admitted to the Cambria county bar. His thorough knowledge of the law excited the admiration of all and brought him a large clientage. Although young, he was one of the leaders of the Cambria county bar, and was resident solicitor for the Pennsylvania railroad for many years. He was for many years one of the most influential Republican politicians of Cambria county, and in 1888 was elected burgess of Johnstown. He also served as a delegate to many state and national conventions. As a political speaker he gained much prominence, and his personal participation in a campaign won much for the cause he exposed. Mr. Dick was probably the best all-around sportsman in western Pennsylvania, and for ten years was a member of the Western Pennsylvania Sportsmen's association; he was also an original member of the Herron Hill Gun club, was prominent in Masonic circles, and was a member of the Vigilant Fire company of Johnstown. In the darkest hours following the flood of 1889 he was one of the first to take steps looking to relief, and to his unselfish work and indomitable will is due the beginning of what eventually brought order out of chaos. In 1888 he married Miss Mary Wagoner, daughter of the late Dr. George Wagoner, and to this marriage were born three children: Virginia, Florence, and Helen. Nature was to a marked degree kind to Mr. Dick, endowing him with her choicest gifts of mind and body. The possessor of many fine qualities of heart and mind, he was to all who knew him, the rich and poor alike, a kind friend, a wise counsellor, and a helper in time of need. In his profession he was eloquent, forcible, and strong with juries, and much of his success was due to his intimate acquaintance with the people of all classes.