BIO: Thomas E. DICKSON, 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 230-231.
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  THOMAS E. DICKSON, Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Warriors Mark township, March 14, 1829, son of James and Catherine 
(Conrad) Dickson, Samuel Dickson, grandfather of Thomas E., was Irish 
by birth, and came to America, residing at first in Lancaster county, 
where he gave his attention to farming. He afterwards removed to 
Warriors Mark township, where he bought 150 acres of land, and 
cultivated it during the rest of his life. Samuel Dickson had been 
highly educated, with a view to his entering the ministry of the 
Presbyterian church; but having lost an eye, he did not carry out his 
plan. Taking up farming, he cultivated what is known as the "lead-mine 
farm." He was always very fond of debate, and had oratorical powers of 
a very high order. He was the equal of any man in the county in a 
discussion, and often rode from Birmingham, Pa., to Huntingdon in order 
to take part in one, on some subject that he was interested in. Mr. 
Dickson had a very large and well-chosen library. He enjoyed the high 
regard of all who knew him. He married Delia Cox, of Lancaster, Pa. Of 
their twelve children, James was the oldest. Samuel Dickson and his 
wife both died in Warriors Mark township. Mr. Dickson was an old line 
Whig. His son James Dickson was educated in the common schools. He 
learned the business of milling, and carried on that vocation in 
Warriors Mark township and in Blair county throughout his life. His 
wife, Catherine Conrad, was born in Warriors Mark township. Their 
children are: John M., deceased; Daniel, deceased; Margaret (Mrs. 
Benjamin Calderwood), of Warriors Mark; Deborah, deceased, wife of 
Joseph Flack; Thomas E.; Anna, deceased; Martha (Mrs. William Robeson); 
Elizabeth (Mrs. Samuel Creswell); Samuel, deceased; and James, 
deceased. James Dickson died in Birmingham, in 1873. His wife survived 
him until 1893.
  Thomas E. Dickson attended school in Snyder township, Blair county. 
He worked by the month for farmers until he attained the age of twenty-
two, when he rented a farm in Warriors Mark township; after cultivating 
it for two years he rented another farm near Birmingham for three 
years. He then worked at farm labor for a year in Warriors Mark 
township, and in the furnaces for two years. Mr. Dickson then entered 
the employ of the P. R. R> as laborer; in 1875 he was appointed track 
foreman, and removed to Petersburg; he has ever since held that 
position, and most creditably and satisfactorily performed its duties. 
In 1865 Mr. Dickson enlisted, on February 11, at Hollidaysburg, Blair 
county, in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Mr. Dickson was for nine months in the army, was in long 
marches, and in skirmishes, and spent much of the time in doing guard 
duty. He was discharged at Harper's Ferry, and mustered out in August, 
1865. He is a Republican. He served his borough for a term as 
councilman. Mr. Dickson is exemplary in his conduct, a good citizen, 
and greatly respected.
  Thomas E. Dickson was married in 1854, at Huntingdon, to Sarah J., 
daughter of George Miller, blacksmith, of Jackson township, where Mrs. 
Dickson was born. Their children are: William P., in railroad employ; 
Samuel E., track foreman, P. R. R.; James M., deceased; Annie (Mrs. 
James A. Nelson), of Centre county, Pa.; David L., school teacher; and 
Laura M., deceased. Mr. Dickson is a faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church.