Samuel C. Dick

As printed in 1894

AMUEL C. DICK, deceased, was for some years a well known and leading citizen of Winona County, and his widow, a most estimable lady, resides in Dakota. Mr. Dick was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1816, and was a son of William and Jane(McClintock) Dick, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Scotland. Crossing the Atlantic to America, William Dick took up his residence in Ohio, where he followed the tailor's trade, and made his home until his death, which occurred in about the year 1849.

Samuel C. Dick remained with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he started out in life for himself, taking up the blacksmithing trade in

Morefield, Ohio, where he served a three-years apprenticeship. On the expiration of that period he joined a brother, and for some time thereafter was employ'ed in Londonderry, Ohio, at blacksmithing. The year 1848 witnessed his emigration westward. He made his first location in Le Claire, Iowa, where he remained for three years, working at his trade. His next place of residence was in the section of Port Byron, Ill., where for two years he carried on a brickyard. In the mean time he built two churches and several residences, doing business as a contractor.

While in this place, Mr. Dick renewed the acquaintance of a young lady whom he had formerly known in Ohio, Miss Elizabeth Young, who was then visiting her sister in the section of Port Byron. Their friendNJiip ripened into love, and on the 9th of May, 1850, they were married. The lady is a daughter of Hercules and Anne (Chandler) Young, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. In their family were eleven children: Mrs. Rachel Chandler, born in September, 1806, now deceased; Mrs. Sarah Stockton, who was born March 8, 1808, and is now living in Fulton Country, Ill.; James, Dinah and Eli, all now deceased; Mrs. Ann Baker, of Illinois; Morgan, now a resident of Arkansas; John, who is deceased; Mrs. Hannah Craft, now living in Martin County, Minn.; Margaret Carroll, born in September, 1828, now living in Lansing, Iowa; and Mrs. Dick, who was born July 21, 1824.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dick were born ten children, eight of whom are yet living. Thomas C, the eldest, who was born March 10, 1851, is now living in Dakota, Minn., and is a carpenter by trade. Margaret E., born August 4, 1853, died on the 3d of August, 1857. Anne E., born November 13, 1855, is now the wife of William Foote, of Preston, Minn. A daughter born July 12, 1858, died in infancy. Emma L., a graduate of the Winona Normal School, born July 23, 1859, is now the wife of T. T. Geddes, a clothier of Anoka, Minn. Clarence F., born November 18, 1861, also a graduate of the Winona Normal.School, is engaged in the commission business in Keokuk, Iowa. William W., born May 24, 1864, follows farming in Winona County. Charles G., born November 5, 1866, a bright and promising young man. who graduated from the Winona Normal College, is now studying medicine. Ulysses S., born October 19, 1868, is employed as a traveling salesman by a wholesale paper-bag firm. Elizabeth M., who complete the family, was born April 15, 1871, and is now employ'ed as a teacher in the high school of

Preston. Five of the family have taught school in Winona County.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick began their domestic life without capital. For two years the)- resided in Iowa, and then removed to Illinois, where they remained until the fall of 1855, at which time they came to Minnesota, locating in Richmond, Winona County. Here Mr. Dick established a grocery and general store, which he carried on until the fall of 1858. At that time he removed to a farm, having purchased a tract of wild land, which he at once began to clear and improve. From that time he successfully followed farming until the spring of 1889, and transformed the once raw prairie into rich and fertile fields, which yielded him a comfortable income. He also erected good buildings and made the place one of the best improved farms of the community. It comprised one hundred and eighty acres, and this valuable property makes his family in good circumstances.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick were ever thoughtful of the welfare of their children and provided them with good educational advantages which would fit them for the practical duties of Ufe. Mr. Dick erected two schoolhouses in his neighborhood, one of which was named in his honor, and for some time he served as clerk of the school district. He also held other ofDces of trust, having been Justice of the Peace for six years and also Treasurer of his township. In politics he was a Republican, in his social relations was a Mason, and in religious belief he was a Methodist. His wife and nearly all of his children belong to the same church. He was ever a kind and affectionate husband and father, devoted to the interests of his family, and they in turn are an honor to him. His wife is a lady held in high esteem, and to her husband ever proved a faithful helpmate.

Philo B. Palmer.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.