My Genealogy Hound

CHAUNCEY R. DICKINSON, a substantial agriculturist of the town of Cincinnatus, is a son of Eli C. and Sophia (Rockwell) Dickinson, and was born March 25, 1836, in the town of Cincinnatus, this county.

His grandfather, Solomon Dickinson, was a native of Litchfield, Conn., but came to the town of Cincinnatus, locating one mile west of the village, where he improved a farm upon which he passed the remainder of his days.

Eli C. Dickinson was also born in Connecticut, coming to this county when a young man, and living here all his life. He was a shoemaker by trade. For five years he was superintendent of schools for the town of Cincinnatus, and gave universal satisfaction. He also served as supervisor for two terms. He was a Democrat formerly, but upon the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks, and so continued till his death, which occurred in 1863. He was united in marriage with Sophia Rockwell, and to them was born a family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The remaining were named as follows: Statira M., born April 10, 1823, died April 2, 1872; DeWitt C., born January 4, 1827, died July 2, 1895; Albert N., born April 23, 1829, died in 1871; Lorin R., born April 10, 1833, died in 1848; Chauncey R., March 25, 1836; and Charles M., May 29, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson were members of the Congregational Church, and were energetic, hard working Christian people. The father of Mrs. Dickinson, Ezra Rockwell, came to the town of Solon and settled on a military claim drawn by his lather for services rendered in the War of 1812. Our subject’s mother died April 2, 1877.

Chauncey R. Dickinson was educated in the common schools and was advanced still farther in the Cincinnatus Academy. At the expiration of his school life he started out as a clerk in the dry goods store of Albert N. Dickinson of Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, in which he had a small interest. The close confinement not agreeing with his health, after eight years of clerkship, he returned to Cincinnatus and purchased a farm of 100 acres near the village, and for twenty-six years has been engaged in its cultivation. His farm bears many evidences of well expended industry on the part of its owner, while his home and its surroundings are models of neatness and good taste.

Mr. Dickinson was married April 5, 1865, to Anna Le Vaverne Collins, a daughter of Jabez Collins of Cortland, and to this union were born three daughters and one son: Anna, wife of Thomas Crane of Taylor, whose children are Chauncey L. and Rosetta Le Vaverne; Eli C., who died at the age of twenty-one; Ella S., who lives at home; and Sopha, also at home. Politically, Mr. Dickinson is a Republican, and has served three terms as excise commissioner of his town. He is a member of the Grange. Both Mr. Dickinson and his estimable wife are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is at present deacon, both taking an active share in the work. Mr. Dickinson and family are active in good works, and are held in high esteem by their neighbors for their kindly benevolence.