In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1820
From The History of Champaign County, Ohio (1881), A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio .. (1902)
MARTIN M. DICKINSON, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O.Urbana; born in Logan Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1820; is a son of Thomas and Maria (Lowe) Dickinson; he is a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. They emigrated from Virginia, and located in Logan Co., in 1812, where they resided till their death. She died in October, 1870, and he in May, 1879. They were the parents of fourteen children; ten now survive — Eliza, Robert, Nelson, Margaret, Hannah, Martin, Duncan M., Joshua, Lewis and Samuel. As early pioneers of that county, they experienced the hardships of those days; he was engaged in the war of 1812, and drew a pension. About two or three years after locating, his log cabin was burnt, with everything they possessed, which in that day was a great calamity. To replace his household goods, he journeyed to Virginia and obtained a feather-bed and other goods, which he* brought through on horseback, and then started anew in life again. These troubles “ tried their souls; ” but, being a man of energy and industry, he made progress and became possessed of a good home and a large estate before his death. Our subject, at 16 years of age, went to Zanesfield and learned the blacksmith trade, which business he followed with success for twenty years, accumulating several thousand dollars. Then he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, following this business in Logan Co. about seven years, finally locating in Champaign Co., where he has continued the same business. In business Mr. Dickinson has been very successful, and now owns seven to eight hundred acres of land. He has built a fine residence on his farm on Sec. 8, in Salem Township, where he has fine improvements and a beautiful home; has never held or sought office, but has given his attention strictly to business; being a man of energy and quick perceptions, he has been suooesaful and accumulated a large competency. He was united in marriage Nov. 6, 1842, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Robert and Mary Rea, natives of Virginia. They have six children, five living — Semantha, Louisa, Adelia, Rea and Cora.
As printed in The History of Champaign County, Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
MARTIN M. DICKINSON.
For many years an honored and highly respected citizen of Champaign county, the name of M. M. Dickinson is well deserving a place in a volume which contains the works of the county's most substantial business man. Throughout his career he made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation in industrial circles, and in all places and under all circumstances he was loyal to truth, honor and the right.
Mr. Dickinson was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 20, 1820. His father, Thomas Dickinson, was born near the line which separates the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania, but in a very early day removed to Logan county, Ohio, locating on a farm in the dense woods. His death there occurred in his ninety-first year. He was reared in the (Juaker faith. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Maria Lowe, was a native of Virginia, and she was called to her final rest io4 CEXTEXXIAL at the age of seventy-five years. Their son and the subject of this review, was born in the little log cabin in which the family first settled on coming to Logan county, and the primitive schools of the neighborhood he received his early education. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, and sixteen years followed that occupation as a means of livelihood, a part of that time having been located at Zanesneld. In 1861 he came to Champaign county, securing a farm in Salem township, and during the remainder of his life time there followed agricultural pursuits. His career was ended by death on the loth of December, 1900, in his eighty-first year, he being born February 20, 1820, and he passed away in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a worthy and consistent member. His was a long, active, useful and honorable life, and his name is indelibly inscribed on the pages of Champaign county's history. In political matters he gave a stanch and unswerving support to the principles of the Republican party.
As a companion on the journey of life Mr. Dickinson those Margaret Rea, and she was born in what is now East Liberty, Ohio. October 6, 1820. Her father, Robert Rea, was a native of the Old Dominion, but in boyhood was taken to Logan county, Ohio. After his marriage he located on a farm on Mill creek, where he followed the tilling of the soil until his life's labors were ended in death, when he had reached his eighty-second year. He. too. was a member of the Quaker faith. His wife. formerly Polly Grubbs, came from Virginia, her native place, to Logan county, Ohio, in her girlhood, and her death occurred at the age of fifty-one years, passing away in the faith of the Baptist church. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Dickinson was the eldest in order of birth, and she was reared in Logan county. On the 6th of November, 1841, she gave her hand in marriage to M. M. Dickinson, and they became the parents of live children, namely: Samantha, the wife of Charles Fox, of Wayne township, who has four children. Vause, Martin, Ralph and Bessie; Louisa, the deceased wife of William Madden, by whom she had three children, Frederick, Nathaniel and Alary; Adelia. the wife of James Yi >re, who has four sons, two, Richard B. and Lewis, by a former marriage, and two by the second union, Burnett and [Martin; Ray, who is married and has three children, Sylvester, Nettie and Louisa; and Cora V., the wife of Ora A. Garard, who has seven children. Margaret, Fay, Virginia, Estella, Louise, John Ralph and Alpha. Mrs. Dickins n resides at her pleasant home in Salem township, where she owns one hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land, the cultivation of which is earned on by her grandson. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church.
As printed in A centennial biographical history of Champaign county, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Charles Fox (b. 1838)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.