BIOGRAPHY: Thomas W. DICK, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 79-80
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THOMAS W. DICK, an attorney and well-known business man of Ebensburg, Cambria 
county, Pennsylvania, is a son of James and Mary (Stewart) Dick, and was born 
October 7, 1839, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Ireland was the ancestral home 
of the family, from which country James Dick, the father, emigrated when but 
seven years old. He located in that part of Indiana county, now known as 
Wheatfield township, where he spent his life, gaining a livelihood in the 
pursuits of a farmer and a tanner. He was first married to Miss Graham, and this 
marriage resulted in the birth of two children: Robert G. and Annie. His second 
marital union was with Mary Stewart, and resulted in the birth of the following 
children: John S., now deceased; Thomas W., Mary E., Wallace B., who is in the 
real-estate business in Topeka, Kansas; Lucy A., and Samuel S., a farmer, of 
Indiana county, Pennsylvania.
     Thomas W. Dick received his early education in the common schools of 
Indiana county, Pennsylvania, principally in the village of Armagh. After 
gaining a good elementary education, he followed the profession of teaching for 
two years. At this time the rebellion threatened to disrupt the Union, and in 
order to better serve his country, Mr. Dick enlisted as a private, in 1861, in 
company H, Twelfth regiment, Pennsylvania reserve volunteers. He served three 
years, the greater part of the time in the capacity of second sergeant. Mr. Dick 
fought with the army of the Potomac, and although slightly wounded in an 
engagement, he was never out of service on account of his injuries. During seven 
months of his army life, he was in the recruiting service in the eastern part of 
Pennsylvania, spending a large part of this time in York, Columbia and 
Harrisburg. Mr. Dick took an active part in the battles of Drainesville, 
Mechanicsville, Seven Days' fights, Second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, 
Antietam and Fredericksburg, Culpepper Court House, Battle of the Wilderness and 
Cold Harbor. After returning from the war, Mr. Dick entered Elder's Ridge 
academy, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, at that time a prominent institution of 
learning. He remained there until the spring of 1865, when he began the study of 
law with William Banks, Esq., of Indiana. Completing a thorough course of law, 
he was admitted to the bar in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 
November, 1867. In the autumn of 1868, Mr. Dick began the practice of his 
profession, and in 1871, in connection with his law business, he devoted part of 
his time to the insurance business, representing some of the old-line fire 
insurance companies, among which are the following: AEtna Insurance Company, of 
Hartford, since 1873, The Hartford company, of Hartford, and the Phoenix 
company. He is secretary and treasurer of the Protection Mutual Fire Insurance 
company, of Cambria county, Pennsylvania, organized in 1857.
     Politically, Mr. Dick is a staunch republican, and has served as burgess of 
the borough of Ebensburg. Having been a teacher, Mr. Dick still takes a warm 
personal interest in the public schools and is at present an active member of 
the Ebensburg school board.
     He is a member of the John M. Jones Post, No. 556, G. A. R., of Ebensburg. 
He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, holding the honored 
position of elder.
     In 1867 Mr. Dick married Lucy E. Kern, a daughter of George W. Kern, of 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania. This marital relation resulted in the birth of the 
following children: John B., a deliveryman in Vintondale, Cambria county; George 
K., who married Celia McCue, of Montana, and is in the employ of Butte, Anaconda 
and Pacific railroad, in Anaconda, Montana, where he now lives; Margaret M., the 
wife of John I. Bowman, of Grapeville, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania; James 
S., an assistant in his father's office, and also pursuing the study of law; 
Carl W., who is attending school, and Bessie G.