JOSHUA DICKERSON, a representative of one of the early families of Washington county, was born January 3, 1845, on the farm where he now resides in Franklin township. His great- grandfather, Henry Dickerson, was married in New Jersey, his native State and reared the following named children: Joshua, Henry, George, Gideon, Leonard, Asa, Margaret and Ruth. He was a leading member and liberal supporter of the M. E. Church, and withal was a hard-working, industrious man. Joshua Dickerson, grandfather of our subject was born May 3, 1781, in Washington county, Penn., whither his father had come in a very early day. He was for the most part a self- educated man, making himself well acquainted with the ordinary branches of education, and he made a special study of surveying, a profession in which he had no superior in the county. He was well versed in wood craft and was considered one of the best hunters of his time; his business as surveyor naturally brought him in contact with a large number of citizens, and he at once became a popular man. He early identified himself with the leading party, was elected auditor of his native county, and so well did he discharge the duties of his office that he was nominated for, and elected, representative from Washington and Greene counties, a position he filled eight consecutive years; he was then elected to the State Senate, in which he served six years, and then resigned to accept the secretaryship of the land office, which he filled till 1830. In 1831 he was chosen to the constitutional convention of the State, and took an active and zealous part in the labors of the same. In these many years of public life and prominence, Mr. Dickerson was totally unpretentious, his home being all along in the old log cabin where he was born. He was a man of magnificent physique, stalwart and active, and the very beau ideal of a Nimrod. At the time of La Fayette's visit to Washington, Penn., he furnished the carriage which conveyed the illustrious visitor, and he took a prominent part in the reception. On April 30, 1853, he passed from earth full of years and honor. The children born to this remarkable pioneer and his first wife, Margaret McPherson, are as follows: Joshua D., Nancy, Alexander, Mary, John, Jennie (Mrs. Samuel Walters), Ruth (Mrs. Lewis Barker), Henry, Lydia (Mrs. Howard Trussell), Margaret (Mrs. William Hazlett) and Matilda. Joshua Dickerson's second wife was Cornelia Craig, who bore him no children.
John Dickerson, father of our subject, was a native of Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., born April 13, 1810. He passed his boyhood and youth on the old home place, and was married to Mary, daughter of Robert Adams. of Washington county. The children born to this union were Margaret (deceased) and Joshua. This wife dying in 1851, Mr. Dickerson married Miss Mary Johnson, by which union came the following named children: Harvey, Mary A., Ruth A. (deceased), Lewis (deceased) and Flora B. On April 10, 1865, Mr. Dickerson was called from earth after a long and industrious life. In politics he was first a Whig, and afterward, on the formation of the party, a Republican.
The entire life of the subject of this sketch has been passed on the homestead of his immediate ancestry, the days of his boyhood and early youth having been occupied in receiving a thorough course of training to agricultural pursuits, and in attending in the winter months the common schools of the district. On June 2, 1867, he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of the Hon. J. C. Chambers (a sketch of whom is given elsewhere), and two children were born to them: Mary (deceased) and Lewis B. Mr. Dickerson and family are adherents of the Disciple Church, and in politics he is a Republican. He has been prosperous, thanks to his industry, intelligence and foresight, and is a leader in his community, where he is highly respected.
Text taken from page 1301 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]