BIO: James DICKEY, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 225-226.
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  JAMES DICKEY, Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born at Shavers 
Creek, Huntingdon county, March 20, 1837, son of William and Rachel 
(Selfridge) Dickey. His paternal grandfather, whose name he bears, was 
a native of this county, of Scotch-Irish descent, and a farmer and 
stock raiser of West township. The elder James Dickey was an 
industrious worker, but a kindly and social man, liked and respected by 
his acquaintances. His political opinions were Democratic. He was a 
member of the Presbyterian church. He married Miss Christy, of Jackson 
township; their children are: William; James; John; Margaret; Jane; 
Susan; and Elizabeth. Mr. Dickey died in Barree township in 1812. He 
received in subscription and public schools an education which was very 
good for that early time. He was a farmer, working for different 
persons until he rented a farm, and engaged in tilling the land and 
raising stock on his own account. His political views were Democratic. 
William Dickey was twice married. His first wife, Rachel Selfridge, was 
born in West township. Their children were: James; Susan (Mrs. James 
Harleman), of Clinton county, Pa.; Sarah E. (Mrs. John Brown), of Green 
county, Wis.; and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Rachel Dickey died in 
Barree township. Mr. Dickey's second marriage was with Mary, widow of 
James Carmon, of Logan township; their only child is Mary (Mrs. Robert 
McCann). William Dickey was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and was faithful to his duties in the church and in the community; he 
was well and widely known, and as widely respected. In middle age, he 
fell into ill health; he died in Lock Haven, Pa., while on a visit.
  The eldest of the family, James Dickey, grew up as his father's 
assistant in the work of the farm. He was educated in the public 
schools. At the age of fourteen, he undertook to learn shoe-making, and 
devoted fourteen months to that trade; but at the end of that time, he 
gave it up, and resumed work with his father, which he continued until 
he reached the age of twenty-six. He then rented a farm in West 
township and cultivated it for three years; then removed, first to 
Centre county, Pa., and spent three years on a farm; then to Buffalo 
county, Wis., bought 120 acres of land, and spent two years there; then 
returned to Jackson, now Miller, township, rented a farm and lived upon 
it eleven years; then bought a small farm in Logan township, and stayed 
there one year. At the end of this time Mr. Dickey sold this last farm, 
and the one in Wisconsin, and purchased another farm in Logan township, 
containing 137 acres; in 1884 he improved the place, and has ever since 
made it his home. Beginning life without resources, Mr. Dickey has 
acquired a competence, and attained to a high standing in the community 
by his own diligence, sound judgment and upright conduct. He is 
regarded with confidence by those who know him; he has been elected to 
serve as supervisor for two terms, and in the school board for three 
years. He is a Democrat. Mr. Dickey belongs to the Grange, P. of H., of 
Petersburg, Pa. He was drafted for the army during the war of the 
Rebellion, but rejected on account of ill health.
  James Dickey was married in Jackson township, January 29, 1861, to 
Rebecca, daughter of Martin and Mary (Gable) Orlady, born at Warriors 
Mark. Mrs. Dickey is the sister of Dr. Orlady, and aunt of Judge 
Orlady, of Huntingdon. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are: 
Catherine N. (Mrs. J. J. Borst), of West township; and Mary E. (Mrs. 
Keyser M. Wakefield). Mr. Dickey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, as are also his wife and daughters.