My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL W. DICKINSON, who since 1889 has been successfully engaged in the wholesale meat and provision business in Amherst, Mass., where he is a highly respected citizen, was born in South Amherst, December 6, 1851, son of Waitstill and Mercy J. Dickinson, both of whom were natives of Amherst.

His grandparents on both sides were among the early residents of that town; and in many respects the history of their lives is somewhat similar, as both were leading farmers, Captains in the State militia, and prominent in town affairs. His maternal grandfather, Enos Dickinson, was sent as a Representative to the State legislature in 1836; and Oliver Dickinson, his paternal grandfather, also acted as a Representative. The latter died in Amherst, at seventy-one years of age. Enos Dickinson’s death occurred at eighty-three years of age. The latter took a prominent part in religious movements, and was a member of the Congregational church. In politics he was a Whig.

Waitstill Dickinson, who was born March 19, 1814, was a lifelong resident of Amherst. For many years he was a merchant and Postmaster in South Amherst, where he kept a general store, and did a successful business as long as his health permitted. When that failed, he was obliged to give up his business at a heavy loss. He was an attendant of the Congregational church, and in political contests he cast his vote with the Republican party. In 1849 he was sent as a Representative to the State legislature; and he served his town as Selectman for seven years, as Assessor for five years, and was also a member of the School Committee. He was married on April 20, 1837, to Miss Mercy J. Dickinson, who was born April 7, 1816. They had eleven children, who, with the exception of one, reached maturity. Eight are now living; namely, Joanna T., Henry C., Dwight E., Lucy M., Daniel W., George W., Sidney O., and Robert M. The others are: Lyman E., who died when three years old; Edward M., who lived to be thirty-five years of age; and Julia L., who died at twenty-three years of age. Mr. Dickinson died on March 10, 1884; and she is now living with her son, Daniel W. Dickinson.

Daniel W. Dickinson acquired a good practical education in the schools of Amherst. He began to assist his father in the store when a mere boy, and continued with him until shortly after his marriage. He then moved to Rocky Hill, Conn., where he started a general store for himself, and during the succeeding ten years did a successful business. He then went to Meriden, and thence to Hartford, Conn., remaining in the latter place about four years. While there, he was engaged as a commercial traveller, and carried a line of wholesale flour and provisions. In 1887 he came to Amherst, and purchased the old Lieutenant Dickinson farm, on which he now resides. It contains forty acres of land. In addition to cultivating this, he conducts a wholesale meat and provision business, in which he has been successfully engaged for the past six years.

His marriage with Miss Jennie Prince was performed May 20, 1873. She was a daughter of George H. Prince, who was born in Amherst on December 12, 1827, and a granddaughter of Asael Moody and Mahala (Arnold) Prince, the former of whom was born in New York State, and the latter on August 30, 1797, in Belchertown, Mass. Her grandfather came to Hampshire County when but seven years of age, and from that time Amherst became his home. He chose the occupation of an agriculturist, in which he was quite successful, and became one of the leading farmers of the town. He was also active in religious work as a member of the Congregational church. In political opinions he was a Whig. He died March 13, 1836; and his wife died in 1858 in Williamsburg, Mass. Three of their four children are now living, as follows: Simeon D., born June 7, 1820, now residing in Chicago, Ill., the proprietor of the Prince House; George H.; and Emory L., born January 23, 1831, who resides in Jamestown, Kan., where he is a successful grain, feed, and coal dealer. A brother, after whom the last mentioned was named, was born June 18, 1822, and died October 8, 1830.

George H. Prince received his education in the Amherst common schools. He then engaged in farming and lumbering, and is still interested in the latter. He owns the old Prince farm, which he purchased from his brother, and has now retired from active business, having acquired sufficient means for his support during the remainder of his life. He was married on May 17, 1849, to Miss Sarah E. Nash, who was born in Amherst on June 30, 1829, and is a daughter of Luther and Sabra (Pomeroy) Nash, who were early settlers of Amherst. Luther Nash died, seventy-seven years of age, and his wife when nearly eighty-five years old. Their seven children all grew up, and two are now living, namely: Charlotte, the widow of Joshua Powers, who resides in Hadley, Mass.; and Mrs. Prince. Both parents were members of the Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. Prince had six children. Four are now living, namely: Lizzie E., born June 10, 1850, the wife of Will A. Dickinson, of South Amherst; Frank M., born July 23, 1854, who is married, resides in Minneapolis, Minn., and is Vice-President of the First National Bank of that place; George H., born July 16, 1861, who lives in St. Paul, Minn., where he is Cashier of the Capital Bank; and Walter L., born June 24, 1866, who is married, and lives in Stillwater, Minn., Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank. The deceased are: Jennie E., born December 12, 1852; Charles W., born December 12, 1863, who died August 22, 1894, at Minneapolis, where he was employed as a book-keeper in a bank. Both parents are liberal in religious matters, and in politics the father is a Republican. He has served acceptably as Selectman of the town. Mr. Dickinson’s wife died on May 9, 1882, leaving no children. He has liberal views as to religious matters, and is a Republican in politics. He is quite prominent in town affairs, and has served in the official capacity of Selectman since 1893 and also in other minor offices.