Robert R. Dickey

As printed in 1909

ROBERT R. DICKEY, JR.

It has been said that the most difficult position in which any man can be placed is that in which he must stand comparison with a successful and honored ancestry, for the world is apt to judge of his work not by its individual merit but rather to claim that its accomplishment has its rise in inherited tendency or in favorable influence. In the control of important business interests, however, Robert R. Dickey, Jr., has proven his own strength and given indication of his enterprise, his initiative spirit and a strong and stalwart purpose. Born in Dayton in 1867, his youthful days were spent in the home of his father, Robert R. Dickey, Sr., and his preliminary education was acquired in the public schools. The father determined that the son should not be handicapped by a lack of education as he was in his youthful days and sent him to a preparatory school in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Desirous of enjoying still higher educational facilities, Robert R. Dickey then entered Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1888.

Following his return to Dayton, he started in business life as assistant secretary in the Dayton Globe Iron Works, continuing in that position until 1893, when his previous experience and developed powers led to his selection for the position of secretary. Four years later, in 1897, he was chosen president and treasurer of the company and now occupies this dual position, in which connection he is devoting his energies to executive control and administrative direction. In other fields of labor he has also given proof of his keen business discernment and powers of systemization. He was one of the organizers of the Acme Sign Printing Company in 1894, became its first president and so continued for eleven years, while at the present time he is secretary and treasurer of the American Board & Box Company, their successors. He is also the vice president of the Cooper Hydraulic Company and from 1899 until 1908 was secretary of the Dayton View Hydraulic Company. For four years he has been director and for two years vice president of the Winters National Bank, is a director in the Oakwood Realty Company, in the City Railway Company and in the Dayton Country Club Company, while since 1907 he has been president of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company. In all these positions he has proven that he is liberally equipped with the force of character and ambitious spirit that are necessary in the accomplishment of results in the business world, and in all of his undertakings he keeps in close touch with the spirit of modern business enterprise and progress.

In 1894 in Dayton Mr. Dickey was married to Miss Myrtle Thacker, a daughter of Newton Thacker, and they have one son, Robert R. Dickey, In. The parents hold membership in the Episcopal church, in which Mr. Dickey is serving as a vestryman, and their attractive personal qualities have won them notable social prominence.

As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.