My Genealogy Hound

George W. Dickinson, chief train dispatcher and train master of the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad, has been a prominent resident of Pontiac, Oakland County, for the past 14 years. He has taken a very active part in political affairs and for a number of years has been a member of the City Council. He was born at Port Huron, Sanilac County, Michigan, and is a son of Hiram Dickinson, and a grandson of Hiram Dickinson, Sr.

Hiram Dickinson, Sr., a veteran of the Mexican War, was born in New York State and was of Scotch descent. He was a millwright by trade and as an expert miller traveled extensively, making a trip overland to California. His later years were devoted to bee raising and at one time he had the largest aviary in the State. He is accredited with importing the Italian bee and was the first manufacturer of the boxes in use to-day, and also among the first to strain honey without damage to the comb. He had a family of eight children.

Hiram Dickinson, Jr., father of our subject, served as a corporal in the Mexican War. He taught school in Sanilac County, Michigan, and attained some prominence as a writer. His death occurred in 1862. His widow, who now resides in Kansas City, Missouri, is a daughter of George Blakeley, who was a resident of Canada and a brother of Colonel Blakeley who was a military man in Canada and died at the age of 89 years. Our subject has a brother, Andrew, who is an engineer running between Battle Creek and Port Huron on the Grand Trunk Railway; a half brother at Michigan City, Indiana; a sister in Canada, and another sister in Kansas City, Missouri, with whom his mother lives.

George W. Dickinson was young at the time of his father’s death and was reared in Canada. He remained on a farm until 14 years old, then attended school in the town of Dresden until he reached the age of 17 years. After completing a course in business college, during which time he worked mornings and evenings to support himself, he entered upon his business career, although he has practically taken care of himself since the age of 11 years. He became identified with railroad work, serving as foreman of the Lake Huron Iron Works for a time, then as agent at North Branch for five years. He was made foreman of the construction gang on the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad in October, 1882, the work on that road having been begun the previous year, and he has since been identified with this company. As chief train dispatcher and train master he has charge of all the train service and the operators of the road, in addition to which he is assistant superintendent. He has very efficiently discharged the duties of his positions, and is to-day the oldest official connected with the road.

Mr. Dickinson has always been an enthusiastic Republican. He was elected to the City Council from the Fourth Ward in 1894 and 1896, and in 1898 was candidate for mayor, but was defeated by a small majority. He was elected to the Council in 1899 and in 1903, in the latter year receiving the largest majority ever received in the ward. He was chairman of the finance committee for three years, and has been active as a member of the paving committee since it was organized, always working for the best interests of the city. In 1902, he was elected chairman of the Republican City Committee.

Mr. Dickinson was married to Catherine Caves, a daughter of Thomas Caves, of St. Clair County, Michigan, a prominent retired farmer who died in 1902. They have two children: Andrew W., who for 18 months was teller of the Pontiac Savings Bank and is now assistant cashier of the American Savings Bank, of which his father is a director; and Eulalia, who taught school last year, and entered the Ypsilanti State Normal School in the fall of 1903.

The fraternal connections of Mr. Dickinson are many and of high standing. He has been a Mason since January 3, 1882, when he took his first degrees in Cass Lodge, No. 219, F. & A. M., of Port Austin, Michigan. His Royal Arch degrees were taken in Cairo Chapter, No. 96, February 15, 1883. He took the degrees in Pontiac Council, R. & S. M., March 30, 1892; in Pontiac Commandery, K. T., July 12, 1892, and in Moslem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Detroit, Michigan, March 17, 1893. He became a member of Pontiac Lodge, No. 21, F. & A. M., by transfer, on June 10, 1892, since which time he has served three years as worshipful master. He has been high priest of Oakland Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., of which he has been a member since 1892; has been illustrious master of Pontiac Council, No. 3, R. S. & M., for three terms, and has been recorder of Pontiac Commandery, K. T., for 10 years. It is, perhaps, needless to state that he has actively promoted in every way in his power the interests of the order. The ability with which he has filled the various stations and official positions in connection with Pontiac Lodge and the Masonic Temple Association of Pontiac has secured to the lodge many flattering notices from outside brethren. The same year that he was first elected worshipful master of the lodge, he was also chosen president of the Masonic Temple Association, and during the seven years he held the latter office the grounds were purchased and the Temple successfully completed. In 1898 he conferred over 50 degrees. A thorough knowledge of the work, combined with personal qualities of a nature that command the respect and attention of all, was largely the cause of the success attendant upon his three years’ administration of affairs as master of the lodge. He was originator and first president of the Masonic Temple Club.

In addition to his Masonic connections, Mr. Dickinson is first exalted ruler of Lodge No. 810, B. P. O. E., which he represented at the Grand Lodge at Baltimore; is a member of the A. O. U. W., of which he has been trustee three years; the K. O. T. M.; the M. W. A.; and the Improved Order of Foresters.