James Dicus

As printed in 1902

JAMES A. DICUS.

James A. Dicus, whose labors have proven a co-operant for force in the commercial and industrial development of Springfield through many years and who is now engaged in dealing in iron and steel work, boilers and machinery, is one of the substantial residents of the city who has the consciousness and deserves the credit of gaining all that he possesses through labor— earnest, untiring and honorable.

He came to Ohio from Maryland in April, 1869, and his ancestral history is one of long and close connection with the latter state. In early colonial days the first of the family in America crossed the Atlantic to the new world and representatives of the family have ever been distinguished for their force of character, tenacity of purpose and fighting qualities. John Dicus, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving in Captain Gales’ Company, Maryland Artillery, as drummer, and taking part in the long, sanguinary struggle which brought independence to the colonies.

James Dicus, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Maryland and was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire business career. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Stevens, a daughter of Levi Stevens, also a Revolutionary soldier, belonging to the Second Maryland regiment, commanded by Colonel Thomas Price. Among the children of James and Elizabeth (Stevens) Dicus was James Dicus, Jr., also a native of Maryland, born near the city of Ellicott in 1812. There he spent his boyhood days and after acquiring his education in a private school, he went to Baltimore, where for many years he was engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods, controlling a business of considerable magnitude and importance. He wedded Mary E. Gosnell; and thus in the material line our subject comes of an ancestry equal “old, honorable and distinguished for his mother” was a daughter of William and Sarah (Clark) Gosnell, the former soldier of the war of 1812, while the latter was a daughter of Bishop Clark, a native of England and a distinguished citizen of that country as well as a notable The great-grandfather was also a bishop of the church of England. ‘The Clarks originally owned a tract of land which was known as Clark’s Camp Ground, divine.

-situated in Baltimore county, Maryland, near the city of Baltimore. It was in Baltimore county that Mrs. Dicus was born and her death occurred in Springfield, Ohio, in June, 1897, while the father of our subject died in the year 1867. They were the parents of four children: James A., Josephine, Mary E. and John Stevens. Josephine and John Stevens are now deceased.

James A. Dicus of this review was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, May 31, 1846, and having completed his literary education, he served a four years' apprenticeship to the patternmaker's trade and then embarked in business on his own account as a dealer in implements, machines and boilers, continuing that connection with commercial interests until 1864, when he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Volunteer Infantry, as a private, Colonel William E. Landstreet commanding the regiment. On the organization of the company Mr. Dicus was commissioned first lieutenant and served with that rank until the close of the war. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Baltimore, where he remained for a short time and then came to Springfield, Ohio, where he has since made his home. Here he entered the employ of the James Leffel Manufacturing Company, acting as a patternmaker for a few months, subsequent to which time he was employed by the Whitesley, Fassler & Kelly Manufacturing Company, working in different capacities during the twenty-one years of his connection with that corporation, being general superintendent of the shop for a part of the time, a position which he was well qualified to fill because of his practical experience and executive force—qualities which enabled him to capable direct the labors of the men there employed. Becoming connected with the Rodgers Iron Company of Springfield, he was later made president and in that capacity controlled the enterprise for ten years, when he sold his interest. His next business connection was in a department of building activity for he handled structural iron and this not only called him, into different parts of Ohio, but also into other states where he obtained many contracts furnishing iron and steel for various buildings, and to some extent he is still a representative of this business. At the present time, however, he is conducting a: brokerage business, and, having gained a wide acquaintance among those who had to do with mechanics, he has secured a liberal patronage which has grown until he is now at the head of a large and profitable trade.

In April, 1869, Mr. Dicus was married to Miss Catherine McDaniel, of Baltimore, in which city she was reared and educated. Her father was George McDaniel. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dicus have been born four children: Maud McDaniel; Walter M., who was a most promising young man and was killed in an accident October 18, 1898; Josephine and Edith Jeanette.

Mr. Dicus is a Republican in politics and for two years was a member of the Springfield, Ohio, city council, while for seven years he served as a tax commissioner.

He is a member of Clark Lodge, No. IOI, F. & A. M., Springfield Chapter, R. A. M.; Springfield Commandery, K. T. and Cincinnati Consistory, thereby becoming a thirty-second degree Mason. He is also. a member of ‘the Syrian Temple of the Mystic Shrine and he was department commander of the Union Veterans Union of Ohio and is also a member of Mitchell Post, 'G. A. R. His comfortable residence is located on East High street, the principal residence street of ` Springfield. "Mr. Dicus is recognized as a prominent factor in local, political and fraternal circles and wherever he has gone he has ‘made many warm friends. His business advancement has been continuous, being the direct result of earnest labor and capability and his life history is an illustration of the fact that stands as one of the most commendable characteristics of our national existence—that men of worth, of laudable ambition and honesty of purpose can win success in this land.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.