Laramie County WY Archives Biographies.....Dickson, Theodore C. 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 13, 2009, 3:54 pm

Author: Bowen & Co. (1903)

THEODORE C. DICKSON.

   In a retrospect of Western men due recognition should be accorded to those of
the older generation who came while the savage still held undisputed possession
of the land and were the forerunners of the civilization which now prevails. The
large majority of those sturdy, and clear brained veterans, who laid the
foundation whereon others builded, have passed away, but here and there a
scattered few remain to recount their deeds of daring and tell to a younger
generation the trials they experienced while blazing the way through a rich
region abounding in obstacles and dangers, which none but the most courageous
cared to encounter. Among this class is the worthy gentleman whose name
introduces this sketch, whose life for many years past has been very closely
identified with the Great West as a pioneer, and also as a promotor of
enterprises that have had influence in developing the resources of several
states and territories. Theodore C. Dickson is a native of Montgomery county,
Ohio, and a son of Ira and Nancy (Bobo) Dickson, the father being born in
Vermont of Irish ancestry and the mother in Ohio of French. The Dickson family
came to America prior to the War of Independence, settling in New England. The
mother's people were also early coiners to the United States and were among the
pioneers of Ohio. Mr. Dickson was born on January 2, 1832, attended school in
his native county during his childhood and youth, and when a young man learned
the saddlers' trade, also becoming an efficient harnessmaker, working at these
trades in Ohio, later traveling as a journeyman quite extensively through the
eastern states. In 1858 Mr. Dickson went west as far as the present site of
Denver, Colo., then included in the territory of Kansas. It is a matter of
historical interest that he was the first man to recognize the natural
advantages of Denver and the superiority of its geographical position as the
site for a great populous and industrial center. With rare foresight he
communicated his ideas to others and in due time quite a number of people became
interested in the founding of a town. In September, 1858, when the original plat
was surveyed, Mr. Dickson drove the first stake and assisted the engineer until
the lines of the future metropolis of the west were fully run. The town was
first called St. Charles but the name was changed in compliment to Governor
Denver of Kansas. Mr. Dickson remained in Colorado about four years spending
part of the time at Denver which he saw grow from an insignificant mining
settlement to a town of fair propositions and after prospecting in various parts
of the territory he started a store in Central City, conducting a fairly
lucrative trade there until 1862 when he sold out and went to Montana to engage
in mining, being one of the pioneer miners of the Treasure state, but he did not
at first realize a fortune. He located several mines which afterwards became
valuable and bought and sold a number of properties, but in 1866 disposed of
them and returned to Denver, where in December, 1866, he was united in marriage
with Miss Louisa King of Illinois. In the spring of 1867 Mr. Dickson came to
Wyoming, locating at Cheyenne six months after the founding of the town. It was
then only a mining camp but within eighteen months the population had so
increased that the term city was very appropriately applied. Seeing a favorable
opportunity for making money, he opened a restaurant and for about eighteen
months conducted it with success, realizing sufficient money to enable him to
engage in a more congenial and as he had every reason to believe, a more
remunerative undertaking, cattleraising. Accordingly in 1870 Mr. Dickson located
two ranches in Laramie county, one in the northern part and the other east of
Cheyenne, but only stocked the latter. His business prospered and it was not
long before he was on the high road to fortune. In 1882 he brought cattle to his
northern ranch and a little later became interested in the "Green Mountain Boy"
copper mine, which he developed and worked until the deposit was exhausted. This
also proved handsomely remunerative and when the ore ran low he disposed of the
property and turned his attention to other branches of business, continuing
cattleraising and various mining operations until 1890, when he decided to
retire from active life. By close attention to his undertakings and successful
management he had accumulated a handsome fortune, and now in his beautiful home
in Cheyenne and pleasant summer home at Frederick, surrounded by his family and
friends, with everything to make life comfortable and desirable, he is enjoying
the fruits of his many years of toil. He still has interests in mines he located
a few years ago and which from present indications promise rich and early
returns in gold, silver and copper. As a business man Mr. Dickson possesses
abilities of a high order and his judgment of men and transactions is rarely at
fault. He manages his affairs upon strictly business principles, his methods
have been most honorable, and he has been prompt and liberal with his means and
influence in public and private enterprises for the advancement of the
community. He is endowed with marked good common sense and possesses the mental
capacity to investigate fully every question submitted to his consideration,
being a marked example of the successful self-made man, such as only conditions
under our free institutions can produce. In the course of his long and active
career he has come in close personal touch with all classes and conditions of
men, meeting with a stern practical experience which proved a true, test in
developing the genuine moral fiber and real worth of the individual. For many
years he has been a power in the political affairs of Laramie county, working
diligently for the success of his party, but never asking official honors for
himself. He was an uncompromising Republican from the organization of the party.
By reason of his long residence in Laramie county he is familiar with every foot
of its territory, being as widely known and as highly esteemed as any citizen of
the state. Mr. Dickson has been twice married, his first wife dying on January
6, 1883, and on February 27, 1884, he was united in marriage at St. Louis, Mo.,
with Miss Belle Rusk, a native of Maryland and daughter of John Rusk, Esq. Mr.
Dickson is the father of two children, Hazel B. and Clearmont. The Baptist
church represents the religious creed of the family, church relations being held
with the congregation worshiping at Cheyenne.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

PROGRESSIVE MEN OF THE STATE OF WYOMING

ILLUSTRATED

A people who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors, will
never achieve anything worthy to he remembered with pride by remote
generations.—.MACAULAY.

CHICAGO, ILL.
A. W. BOWEN & CO.
PUBLISHERS AND ENGRAVERS
1903


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