DICKINSON, JOHN J.
DICKINSON, JOHN J. - This worthy and much respected citizen of Napa County is the son of John M. and Evalina Middleton Dickinson, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 10,1829, where he attended the common schools, and afterwards was educated at a private academy taught by Jonathan Collom. At the age of eighteen, September 3,1847, Mr. Dickinson went to Cincinnati and there remained about eighteen months. He then moved to St. Louis, and there embarked in the clothing business, and there resided until he came to California, his departure from that place occurring in February, 1854. In company with his young wife he sailed from New Orleans via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco April 19,1854. He spent two months in sight-seeing on this coast, and then in company with, and under the firm-name of William Mentz & Co., he started the first cheap newspaper published on this Coast, under the title of Town TaUc, this small sheet being the beginning of what is now the most valuable paper in the State, the Morning Call. Mr. Dickinson remained in this firm for eighteen months, and then moved to Crescent City, then Klamath County, but now Del Norte, and there engaged in merchandising, in which he continued for the succeeding thirteen years, in the meantime taking an active part in the formation of the latter county. He also served one term as County Judge, and received a re-nomination in 1872, but declined owing to his previous arrangements to leave the county. In September, 1873, Mr. Dickinson located in St. Helena and engaged in merchandising, and remained in that business until December, 1880. He then accepted his present position as traveling salesman for Charles Krug. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage in St. Louis, October 10,1853, to Miss Susan D. Haslip, a native of Albemarle County, Virginia, and by this union they have one son and one daughter, Frank E. and Cora.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, June 2007 Pages 446-447
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Last updated May 2007