BIOGRAPHIES: William H. DICK, Gale Township, Trempealeau Co., WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb Coordinator, 26 June 2003 ==================================================================== ** Posted for informational purposes only -- the poster is not related to the subject of this biography. William H. Dick, one of the leading and most progressive farmers in Gale Township and a large land owner, is a native of the township, having been born at Decorah Prairie, April 21, 1864. He is a son of William and Rosana (Neil) Dick, natives of Scotland, who were married in that country and came to the United States in 1846, first settling in Maryland. There for a few years Mr. Dick, the elder, was engaged in mining. It was not long, however, before he heard of better opportunities in the great Northwest, and soon after he was found among the pioneers of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, taking land in section 36, Gale Township, which now constitutes the farm of his son, William H. He became an extensive land owner and for a number of years was actively engaged in the stock business. His death occurred in 1907. His wife, who survives him, is now living with her son John in Gale Township. William H. Dick was the youngest member of his parents' family, which numbered eight children. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school at Decorah Prairie and learned agriculture on the home farm under his father. When he was 21 years old he became the owner of the farm, consisting of 248 acres of land, and has since been engaged in general farming. He has made some valuable improvements on the place, the more substantial buildings having been erected by him. In addition to this place, he owns 200 acres in Black River bottoms and 60 acres of timberland. He keeps a large amount of stock and his business is steadily growing. Mr. Dick is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Galesville Creamery, the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill., and the farmers' Warehouse Elevator at Galesville. In politics he is a Republican, but has taken no active part in local government. Feb. 22, 1888, Mr. Dick was united in marriage with Alice Brown, who was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of George and Ellen (Irvine) Brown. Her father was born in Vermont April 23, 1831, and her mother in Scotland, Aug. 8, 1840, their marriage taking place in America. George Brown came when a lad of 14 years to Wisconsin. He was a pioneer of Gale Township and did his share in developing its agricultural resources, breaking in and improving a considerable quantity of land during his active career. His death took place in 1902. His wife is still living and resides with her son and daughter half a mile east of her daughter Mrs. Dick, the three children mentioned constituting their entire family. Mr. and Mrs. Dick's family also consists of three children: Lester William, who married Laura Agnes Stellpflug, and is a farmer in Gale Township, having one child, Armond Leo; Rose Ellen and Hazel Leila, who reside at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dick both belong to the two fraternal orders of Beavers and Yeomen, and Mr. Dick also to the Red Men. They are among the most prosperous residents in this part of the country and have a wide acquaintance. -Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 500-501