My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE P. DICKINSON, a retired merchant and Treasurer of the Northampton Gas Company, was born in this town, July 13, 1822, son of James S. and Betsey (Pomeroy) Dickinson.

His father, born in 1780, was a leading merchant of this section of the county. He was intimately associated with the best interests of the town, and represented his district in the State legislature. He was very successful in his financial affairs, leaving at his death, which occurred in 1824, a substantial property. His wife was a daughter of Quantus Pomeroy and the grand-daughter of General Seth Pomeroy. They reared a family of five children, two of whom died. The others, besides the subject of this sketch, are: James S. Dickinson; and his sister, Mary C. Dickinson, both residents of Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Dickinson received his education in the district school and in the academy and select school. When sixteen years old, he went to St. Louis, Mo., to clerk in a hardware store for his brother-in-law. Four years later he returned to Northampton, where he engaged as a salesman for two years. He then became the partner of his employer; and for the succeeding two years they did a good business, under the firm name of Hopkins & Dickinson. Buying out his partner, Mr. Dickinson continued the business alone for two years more, and then formed a copartnership with a Mr. West and his son, under the firm name of West, Dickinson & Co. In 1856 the firm dissolved; and Mr. Dickinson went to Brooklyn, N.Y. Here he embarked in trade with another Mr. West, with very satisfactory results. The firm carried on a prosperous and extensive business until 1878, when Mr. Dickinson, whose health was somewhat impaired by his close attention to business, sold out to his partner, and returned to the scenes of his early life. In 1880 he bought the land, and erected upon it his present commodious residence, which is one of the finest and most attractive of the elegant dwellings on Elm Street. With its vine-clad front and situation in the centre of a shady lawn, it presents a charming appearance to the passer-by. Mr. Dickinson has also invested in other real estate, is a shareholder in the gas works, and treasurer of the company.

June 27, 1849, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage with Mary Robinson, a daughter of Dr. Robinson, of North Adams. Their only child, Anna M., married Franklin Edwards, of Northampton; and they have two sons. In politics Mr. Dickinson is a Republican. He has satisfactorily served his constituents in the City Council, of which he was a member for five years, being its presiding officer two years. He is a Trustee for the Northampton Institution for Savings, and is a member and has been for several years an Assessor of the First Congregational Church.