Obit: Dickinson, Decatur "Dick" (1836 - 1915)
Transcribed by: Ann Stevens

Surnames: Dickinson, MacBride, Huntley, Curtis, Davis, Cochran, Hemphill

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 2/25/1915

Dickinson, Dick (20 NOV 1836 - 19 Feb 1915)

Dick Dickinson is dead and as a result not only his immediate family is bereaved, but the entire community is sorrowing, for he was a man who was loved and respected by all. For years D. Dickinson has been one of the leading spirits of Neillsville and has been especially prominent in the development of the city and Clark County. Coming here when in the very prime of young manhood, by honest endeavor and a policy of uprightness and integrity he made for himself an enviable reputation which followed him throughout his life. Unselfishness was one of his leading characteristics and many a logger of the early days and farmers of the later period can trace to D. Dickinson the beginning of a successful career. Mr. Dickinson was everybody’s friend and he cherished no animosities for he gave with a free hand and in time of need was always ready with more than a kindly word of encouragement. He was retiring in disposition, but was a keen student of human nature and to have attained the confidence and respect of D. Dickinson was in itself no little achievement. He was truly one of God’s noblemen and to have known and had the friendship of this man was to have come in touch with one of the better influences of life.

He was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 20, 1836, and in 1855 went to Madison to begin his career. Three years later he started for Port Royal, but the war breaking out at that time, he returned to Lock Haven where he enlisted in the 45th Penn. Vol. He served throughout the war and returned home to Wellsboro, Penn. In 1866 he went to Sparta, Wis., but shortly after came to Neillsville and clerked for Hewett, Wood, & Co. After being connected with this firm for a number of years he entered into a partnership with Mr. MacBride, but a year later engaged in business for himself. In 1876 he moved into the store on what was then known as East Street, and maintained this location until his removal into the store which he sold a few years ago to Huntley Bros.

He was united in marriage to Kate E. Curtis of this city in 1874. Five children were born to them--Carrie, Grace, Willis, Richard and Tom, of whom but Willis and Richard survive their deceased parents.

He was identified with various enterprises during his life and as a result came into contact with the greater proportion of the population of the southern half of the county. A few years ago there was probably no man in Neillsville who was more widely known than he was and his friends are without number.

Mr. Dickinson was buried Tuesday afternoon in the Neillsville Cemetery. Services were conducted by Rev. Davis of the Marshfield Episcopal Church at the Dewhurst home.

Richard Dickinson arrived here Monday from Eureka, Utah, and Willis Dickinson came from Butte, Mont., Sunday. Kent Dickinson and Mrs. Cochran, nephew and niece of the deceased, came from Minneapolis Monday to attend the funeral. Miss Frances Hemphill was here from Madison also.

1895 WI State Census, Neillsville, Clark, Wisconsin, United States
D D Dickinson
Birthplace United States: 8;
Source Details 12
Number of White Females 4
Number of White Males 4