USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 88
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The family first lived at 139 Wabash Avenue, hear Madison Street, the site being now a por- tion of the store of Carson, Pirie. Scott and Company. Ten years later they went to the West Side to live. He continued to deal in grain produce and seeds with office on Kinzie street until the great fire of 1871 destroyed everything, and in 1872 his health failed and he retired from active business. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were worthy members of the Friends Society, and were instrumental in establishing the first Society of Friends in Chicago, of which they were charter members. The Society is still prominent and its members meet in worship every Sunday. Mr. Dickinson has left behind him a potent influence not only for his immediate family, but those who for years had enjoyed association with him. Ilis standards were extremely high, and his sons have endeav- ored to live up to them in the conduct of their business. To him integrity and uprightness were more than material prosperity, and his descendants have proven that the one is not incompatible with the other.
MELISSA DICKINSON.
Though nearly five years have passed since Melissa Dickinson was called to her final rest. she lives in the memory of her many friends as the highest type of gracious womanhood. The influence of a good life endures long after the earthly span of that life has ceased. To all
who knew her, the thought of Melissa Dickin- son brings memories of kindness and a blessing of peace. She was born in Curtisville, Massa- chusetts, among the Berkshire Hills, on August 18, 1839, a daughter of Albert F. and Ann Eliza ( Anthony) Dickinson. Her education was
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gained mainly in private seminaries. She at- tended Sawyer's and Dearborn Seminaries in Chicago, and the college at Lima, New York.
With her brothers Miss Dickinson gave ear- nest, faithful service to the commission busi- ness engaged in by her father, Albert F. Dick- inson. After the great Chicago fire which left the family without resources, her work was in- valuable in helping to build up the business and to repay in full the debts owed. When The Albert Dickinson Company was incorporated she was made secretary, and served in that capacity for many years, having worked with her broth. ers through the trying years of its small begin- ning. A just portion of the present success of the enterprise is due to her quiet faithfulness and untiring industry. Although she gave so much to the business, she possessed, as well, the gracious virtues of woman in the household. She made a home for the family through all the years until her death, and was active both in business and domestic life. Ill health forced her to flee from the chill of northern winters, and for twenty-one years she lived during the winter months in Orange City, Florida. She also traveled abroad, and her views were liberal and ideas modern. She was a woman of su- perior business ability, which her high traits of character enhanced. At Orange City she was active in philanthropic work, and her humane
sympathy and charities attached people to her in the ties of strong friendship. The good she did can scarcely be estimated, for she was inter- ested in establishing a library, in planting trees, in paring the streets and in numerous acts of kindness to many.
Like her parents, Miss Dickinson was of the Quaker faith, and possessed many of the char- peteristies of that society. Her charities ex- tended to many worthy enterprises, though she was always quiet and unostentatious, and many of her gifts were never made known. On No- velober 11, 1910, she passed peacefully from this life into the life beyond, and was buried at her southern home in Orange City, Florida. Iler friends were legion and entertained for her the warmest regard, feeling that they have been benefited by having their lives touched by hers. As a business and domestic woman, a friend of education and the supporter of all worthy move- ments which have their root in unselfish devo- tion to the best interests of the country, Melissa Dickinson has left her impress indelibly in- scribed apon the history of Chicago. She re- maius in the memory of her friends, enshrined in a halo of gracious presence and kindly spirit, and to the world she will ever be known as one. whose efforts were foremost in progress and ad- vancement and all good work.
ALBERT DICKINSON.
Continuous service to the general public ex- tending over a period of sixty-one years entitles any concern to more than passing mention, and when its interests have been conserved by miem- bers of the same family during that entire time, the solidity of the house is proven. Chicago is fortunate to number among some of its most representative and flourishing business enter- prises some which have been developed by father and sons, all changes being made for the bet- terment of conditions and the extension of serv- ice. Among similar concerns, none stands higher in the estimation of its competitors and the general public. not only at home, but abroad as well, than The Albert Dickinson Company, buy- ers and sellers of clover, flax and grass seeds. bird seed, popcorn, grain bags, seed grains and like commodities. The president of this old and well established company is Albert Dickinson. whose connection with it dates back many years, and who is the son of its founder, Albert F. Dickinson.
Albert Dickinson was born at Stockbridge, Mass., October 28, 1841, a son of Albert F. and Ann Eliza ( Anthony ) Dickinson. When Albert Dickinson was fourteen years old, his parents moved to Chicago. and the lad was given the advantage of a course in the public schools of the city, which he completed in 1859, with the first class that was graduated from the Chi- cago High School. He then became his father's associate in business, but put aside commercial and personal interests at the outbreak of the Civil War in order to join the army. The smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away when, in April, 1861, he became a member of Company B. Chicago Light Artillery, known as Taylor's Battery, but afterwards was Company B. First Illinois Light Artillery. His military service covered three years and three months, during which time he participated in the en- gagements at Frederickstown, Mo., Fort Dou- elson. Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post and Vicksburg. The bat-
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tery was then sent to Memphis with Sherman's army, and afterwards moved up to Chattanooga, taking part in the battle of Missionary Ridge and the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville. Mr. Dickinson also participated in the Atlanta campaign until honorably discharged in July, 1864. Notwithstanding the fact that he lacked a bit in regulation height at the time of his enlistment to admit him to military service, his athletic record in the gymnasium, and on the waters of Lake Michigan, won him his entrance to the army. After the war the bowling-alley was Mr. Dickinson's main athletic sport, in which he has made several world records.
The military chapter in his life history closed, Albert Dickinson became a resident of Durant. Iowa, where he engaged in buying grain for a year, but his father's failing health recalled him to Chicago, and from then on he has been actively engaged in the conduct of the grain business his father had founded in 1954. Busi- ness was in a flourishing condition when Chi- cago was visited by the calamity of 1871. and this concern with countless others, lost every- thing in the terrible fire. Facing an indebted- ness of several thousand dollars, occasioned by a mortgage which was incurred to pay for a new warehouse, and realizing nothing from their insurance. Albert Dickinson, his sister Melissa. and his brothers Nathan and Charles, the latter being only fourteen years old at the time, reso- Intely set to work to resume business. So ear- nest and steadfast were these young people that they succeeded in wiping out their father's liabilities, and placed the business once more upon a paying basis. From then to the present day the enterprise has grown steadily until The Albert Dickinson Company controls the largest seed houses in the world. A general commis- sion business was continued by the firm until 1874, when the cash basis previously adopted was further emphasized as the foundation of transactions, and the partners began limiting their operations exclusively to seeds. In 1SSS the business was incorporated as a stock com- pany, capitalized for $200,000. with Albert Dick- inson as president, Charles Dickinson as vice- president, Nathan Dickinson as treasurer, and Melissa Dickinson as secretary.
On reestablishing the business after the fire they again located on Kinzie Street, though fur- ther west, between Wells and La Salle Streets. The growth of the business necessitated larger quarters, and at the time of the World's Fair they were located at Clark and Sixteenth
Streets, owning both the land and buildings. Later the business still required more room and increased shipping facilities, so land was purchased and buildings erected at Taylor Street and the River. This location furnished both water and rail communication with this and foreign countries. One of the great secrets of this institution's success, in its early history, was the farmshing of grass seeds and seed grains to the farmer necontaminated and free from foreign matter. Albert Dickinson's asso- ciation with fanning mills in his father's great milis in Massachusetts led him to introduce sim- ilar machinery in their plant for cleaning and grading seeds and grains. This machinery cleaned and graded all kinds of seed and grain, and his house was thus able to furnish the farmer with seed which was pure and free from grit and woods. The Albert Dickinson Com- pany were the first dealers to furnish the pub- lie with clean seed productions, and due credit should be accorded Mr. Dickinson for his in- genuity in adapting and applying, at that time, these machines to the cleaning and separating and grading of grass seeds. This was not only the first introduction of such machinery for larger purposes, but it established a purity standard the world over, and was epoch making for the farmers' crops.
Albert Dickinson holds stanchly to the prin- ciples of the Republican party at national elec- tions, with independent proclivities when called upon to exercise his right of franchise in local affairs. ile holds membership in George H. Thomas Post, No. 5. G. A. R., and is further iden- tified with the club life of this city as a mem- ber of the Illinois, Chicago Athletic. Union League and South Shore Country Clubs. He has long been deeply interested in the welfare of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and is con- corned in many matters relative to the city's progress and improvement along educational, social and municipal as well as material lines. As the architect of his fortunes he had builded wisely and well upon the sure foundation of unfaltering enterprise, indomitable perseverance and energy that never fag.
Ilis tastes are scholarly. his manner retiring, and yet when occasion demands, he does not hesitate to take his place before the public in the expression of views which he believes are of moment. IJe belongs to that class of men who wiehl a power that is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than po- litical, and is exercised for the public weal in-
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stead of for personal ends. Unselfish, he pre- fers a quiet place in the background to the glamour of publicity, but his rare aptitude and ability in achieving results and his keen insight into any situation make him constantly sought. Ilis extensive travel in the interest of his house, both at home and abroad, his wide experience in business and his study of life from various an- gles have helped to make him liberal-minded, and those who know him well recognize in him a man of earnest purpose and progressive prin- ciples.
Publie spirited and charitable, Mr. Dickinson always finds time for studying and fostering movements which aim to promote public wel- fare. Unassuming in his manner, sincere in his friendship, steadfast and unswerving in his loyalty to the right, it is but just and merited praise to say of him that he fully lives up to the highest standards of citizenship. Mr. Dick- inson was married April 22nd, 1911, to Emtua Benham, and he and his wife make their home now in Orange City, Florida.
NATHAN DICKINSON.
Without doubt the Chicago fire developed men as no other intluence could have done. When the flames in a few hours destroyed the work of years of faithful endeavor, wiping out many houses that prior to it were reckoned among the most prosperous in the city, it was necessary for men to exert themselves and prove their mettle. That so many were equal to the emergency, the history of the city and its business concerns amply proves, and one of these self-reliant, force- ful characters was Nathan Dickinson, treasurer of the Albert Dickinson Company. While all members of the family connected with this house have given the best of their efforts to- wards its development. Nathan Dickinson has been particularly active in meeting the visiting farmers personally, and securing them as per- manent customers, thus aiding the business ma- terially in establishing an extensive country trade. Ilis affable disposition and resourceful nature make him especially fitted for this branch of the business, and the simple weight of his character and ability has always carried him into important relations.
Mr. Dickinson was born in Curtisville, Massa- chusetts, February 6. 1548, a son of the late Albert F. Dickinson. a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. He removed to Chicago with the family in 1854, and here oh- tained his education in the public schools, grad- uating from the Dearborn school in 1865. Soon after leaving school he entered into his father's business, and though still a boy in years, he almost immediately showed the sagacity and foresight which were to prove such potential factors in his after life. For half a century he has been identified with the city's commercial and financial interests, and few have been more active in the promotion of progress, or enjoy a higher standing. A city like Chicago could not
have been without men of such industry and persistency, and it is to this class of men that she owes her moral education and commercial growth. With the Chicago fire came this young man's chance to demonstrate that his success was not a fairweather attribute, but could be repeated under the most discouraging conditions. Consequently in the years that ensued he never allowed his zeal to lessen or his interest wane. but steadily labored to re-establish the business that had attained such desirable proportions prior to 1571. Not only did he and his brothers and sister succeed in this, but they developed until they soon outgrew the former limits, and from then on have kept up the policy of further expansion and growth in all directions,
Mr. Dickinson was married at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, July 17, 1SS9, to Miss Louise H. Boyd, of that place, a woman of many admirable traits of character, and to this union were born two children: Ruth B., and Albert B. The family home at Lake Geneva is a hospitable one where good cheer has always abounded, and where all members of the family share alike in entertaining their many friends. For many years Mr. Dickinson has been a director of the Chicago Dock Company, and has gained the confidence of his associates and the respect of the commercial community. Ile is prominent both in business and social circles, and is a valued member of the Union League club. Hav- ing passed through the vital drama that trans- formed a smoking mass of ruins to the present metropolis second to but one city in the country. Mr. Dickinson is an authority upon all matters relating to the period of reconstruction of Chi- cago's commercial and industrial interests. That he bore an important part in this work, his own record proves, but his knowledge has not only
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come of his personal experiences, but has been gathered from that of others as well, and is con- sequently very valuable and exceedingly helpful. He is extremely domestic in character, and so thoroughly practical has he always been in ap- propriating to the needs of the household that the family gave him the title of "quartermas- ter." His thorough knowledge of household utensils, china, silverware, etc., have proven val- uable in many ways, and he has long been con- sidered authority along these lines. He has given this question special thought for many years, and is able to tell, almost at a glance, the
make, date, quality and value of all utensils and articles used in the home.
Quiet and unassuming in his tastes, he has always stood for the things that are right, and for the advance of citizenship. Considerate of others, he has done many acts of kindness both to individuals and institutions, and in his dis- like of all show, has said nothing about it. Ilis friends are many and in all walks of life. Absolute sincerity and a high regard for truth have been keynotes throughout his career, and he is most worthy of the family motto, "To be rather than to appear to be."
FRANCES DICKINSON.
Since the field of medical practice was first opened to women, many of the representatives of this sex have attained distinction, proving that in all requirements they are equal to the masculine mind and skill. Indeed, it has often been said that to her understanding of the principles of medicine the woman physician adds a tenderness and an intuitive perception that few men seem to possess. Chicago has long been distinguished for high rank in the medical profession, and the profession here represented has numbered among its members many women of high standing, efficiency and international reputation. Among the more prominent women physicians of this city who have attained notable distinction is Dr. Frances Dickinson, who has devoted her life to the study of medical science. For thirty years or more she has figured prominently in the pro- fession in Chicago, and has maintained through- out the entire period a high standard of pro- fessional ethics. Dr. Dickinson is a woman of marked intellectual activity, whose careful study of the fundamental principles of life as related to the health and progress of humanity. together with a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the component parts of the body, gave the first impetus to normal brains, and among medical students, for a more equal development of all the senses. the mind and motor activities of the individual, as a means of perfecting life, and encouraging greater human efficiency. As an eye specialist she learned by experience that the eye de- pended for efficiency upon a perfect balance of the mental and physical conditions, which could be obtained only through a correlated educational development of the senses, mind and body. She combined these principles with
her comprehensive training in medical and surgical work as a basis for her specialized practice in ophthalmology, being the first woman west of Philadelphia to specialize in this branch of medicine.
Dr. Dickinson was born in Chicago January 19. 1856, a daughter of Albert F. and Ann Eliza (Anthony) Dickinson, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. She is a product of the vigorous West, an embodiment of well-directed energy and untiring zeal in all movements that promote the progress of women, or of humanity as a whole. She inherited those substantial, persevering traits of charac- ter which are typical of the good old Quaker stock. her parents having held membership In the Friends Society. They were strong of character, broad of comprehension and had decided convictions. They held the idea that in the practice of medicine and surgery women needed the services of women. After receiv- ing a thorough education in the old Dearborn, Skinner and Central High schools and Normal School of Chicago, graduating from the Central High School on Monroe Street, near Halsted, in 1875. Frances Dickinson first adopted teach- ing as a profession. During an experience of four years in the first grade of the public school, she thought that that field was not broad enough to satisfy her. In 1879. after her teaching hours, she attended the medical course of lectures on physiology given by Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, at the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, her original intention being to qualify herself as an instructor in that branch for high school work. When she de- termined to acquire a complete medical edu- cation, her brother Charles insisted that she should begin at once. This was sanctioned by
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the other members of the family who also aided in furnishing the financial assistance necessary. In 1880, she entered for the full medical and surgical course at the Woman's Medical College opposite Cook County Hos- pital, served as an interne in the Woman's and Children's Hospital. under Dr. Mary Har- ris Thompson, and graduated with honors in 1883. In the fall of that year, she went abroad with her brother Charles, her father having died two years previously. In the early sum- mer of 1$$3, women were admitted for the first time to Cook County Hospital examina- tions for positions as interne. The positions of eight internes and eight alternate physicians were to be filled. In spite of the fact that the women were notified too late for any prepara- tion, and most of the graduates had gone to their homes out of Chicago, Dr. Dickinson and her classmate, Dr. Smith, made the venture for the purpose of keeping the opportunity open. Both passed the examinations among the list of alternates. Dr. Dickinson ranked twelve out of the sixteen highest.
Dr. Dickinson spent fourteen months in studying and traveling in Scotland, England. France. Algiers, Tunis, Sicily, Switzerland and Germany. Before going abroad, she had de- termined to make ophthalmology her specialty, having taken the course given in that branch at the Illinois State Eye and Ear Infirmary of Chicago. In London, she studied under the celebrated surgeon, Dr. Cooper, in the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital at Moorfields, attending also the ophthalmic clinics at the Royal Free Hospital in Grays Inn Road ; and in Darmstadt, Germany, studied under the private tutorship of Dr. Adolph Weber, to whom Von Graefe, the father of ophthalmology, willed his instruments. Dr. Weber had a large private clinic and hos- pital of sixty beds attached to his home, which gave unlimited opportunities for special work. where Dr. Dickinson spent five months. thus laying the foundation for the carefulness. thoroughness and accuracy which has always been characteristic of her work.
Dr. Dickinson had the distinction of being the only woman post-graduate professor in ophthalmology, occupying a chair in that special branch in the Chicago Post Graduate School of Medicine. In 1594 she acquired control of the Harvey Medical College which opened that winter with an enrollment of nine students. Under her promotion, it constantly increased in number until at the end of four years it
was fourth in attendance of the fourteen medi- cal schools of Chicago. A few years later, when the Illinois State Board of Health granted license to practice only by a public examination of students holding college diplo- mas, the graduates from Harvey Medical Col- lege ranked the highest of all the Chicago medical colleges in anatomy and physiology, and in the general average they ranked third in these public examinations. This high stand- ing was obtained by means of well-equipped laboratories for individual work, and a special- ized curriculum which brought into constant use and correlated all the senses, mind and handiwork, laboratory work and motor activi- ties possible to every study taught. Especially was this true in the fundamental studies of anatomy, physiology and surgery, and no student was admitted to any of the classes who was under twenty-one years of age. Only two hundred diplomas were granted in the ten years Dr. Dickinson controlled the Harvey Medical College, a school for adults only, with lecture and laboratory work from seven to ten every evening and clinical work all day and night. In 1857, when the Ninth International Medical Congress convened at Washington, no woman had been admitted to the membership of that august body. Dr. Dickinson established a new precedent, the result of which broke down the barriers of prejudice, and she was re- ceived into its ranks, and thus prepared the way for her women associates. Since that year, women have not been debarred from mem- bership, even though the meetings of the Con- gress have been held, as always before, in foreign cities where women are not received by the universities on an equal footing with men.
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