My Genealogy Hound

ORLANDO B. DICKINSON. If there was any citizen to whom St. Joseph was especially indebted above all others, we believe that one to be Mr. Dickinson, who for many years was closely identified with its progress, and contributed effectively to the development of its interests. He was one of the pioneers in the business of fruit-raising in Berrien County, and, realizing that the soil here was peculiarly adapted to raising berries and small fruits, he made this his special business. He planted the first extensive vineyard in the city and imported the first variety of grapes (the Delawares) from the East.

Born in Hornby, Steuben County, N. Y., July 26, 1826, our subject was the son of Hon. A. B. Dickinson, a prominent politician of New York, who was a delegate to the Chicago convention in 1860 that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States, and under his administration served as minister to Nicaragua. He was the cotemporary and friend of Secretary of State Seward, Horace Greeley and Thurlow Weed, and many other famous men who acquired distinction during war times. The mother of our subject was Hannah, daughter of Thomas Hopkins, a native of New York. Orlando B. spent his boyhood years in Steuben County and acquired a good common-school and seminary education. At the age of eighteen he embarked in the business of buying and selling stock, and later engaged in pork-packing in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1855, Mr. Dickinson removed to Atchison, Kan., being among the first to settle in that place. Three years later he came to St. Joseph and actively engaged in horticultural pursuits. Energetic and enterprising in everything he undertook, he soon won success. As above stated, he planted the first vineyard in this vicinity on property he purchased of B. C. Hoyt near his late residence. He also planted the first “Lawton” berries and introduced into this section the famous peach trees known as “Hale’s Early.” In the spring of 1865, he sold his property in St. Joseph, and in 1867 removed to Chicago, where, in connection with J. Witherell, formerly of St. Joseph, he did a large warehouse business, and subsequently established the large and well-known house of Dickinson, Abel & Co.

On account of failing health, Mr. Dickinson returned to St. Joseph in 1882, and here remained until his death, October 12, 1883. His late home was purchased in 1878 and elegantly fitted up as a fruit farm and summer residence for himself and his family, consisting of his wife and two daughters. On the 28th of May, 1849, he married Miss Lucy M. Collins, who was born in Ravenna, Ohio, and is the daughter of Dr. Lyman and Harriet (Whittlesey) Collins, early settlers of St. Joseph. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Dickinson, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, was Second Comptroller of the Treasury under the administration of President Pierce, and for a time resided in Washington, D. C. Later he returned to Ohio, was subsequently elected to Congress for several terms, and during the administration of President Lincoln was again appointed Second Comptroller of the Treasury, which position he filled until his death. The Collins family originated in Ireland, while the Whittleseys came from England. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were the parents of two daughters: Anor, Mrs. W. H. Husted, of Chicago; and Harriet C, wife of William E. Fry, who resides in Sherrill, Ark.

Although M. Dickinson had been in poor health for some time prior to his demise, yet his death was sudden. On the morning of the day he died he was at his barn giving directions, when one of the house girls, who at the time was there, turned to look as she heard him speak and saw that he had fainted and fallen. Physicians were summoned, but human efforts were unavailing. Mr. Dickinson remained insensible, and died without recovering consciousness, except for a moment, when he vainly attempted to speak to his wife. The entire community mourned the loss of a genial and generous friend, and the family was bereft of a considerate husband and indulgent father.