WILLIAM H. DICKERSON, a representative of an influential family of Franklin township, is a son of William Dickerson, whose father moved to Franklin township, Washington Co., Penn., in an early day. He there located on a small farm, which was a portion of the place now owned by Mr. Dickerson. A fort was erected on his property to protect the colonists from the depredations of the savages, who surrounded the homes of the early settlers. Here in the lonely wilderness were born the children of this pioneer couple, namely: John and William. Mr. Dickerson's life was, like that of all frontiersmen, filled with toil and danger; he passed his days in tilling the virgin soil, and aided considerably in the development of the county. In politics he was a Whig. William Dickerson was born on his father's farm in Franklin township, Washington county, where he passed his youth, learning the practical lessons of industry and economy, which were of far more value to the early settlers than a mere text-book education. When yet a young man he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Jolly, also a resident of Franklin township, and to their union were born four children: Asa, Lydia (Mrs. Melvin Riggs), John and Sarah (Mrs. William Sturges). Mr. Dickerson married, for his second wife, Martha Clark, a native of Greene county Penn., and to this marriage came children as follows: Jane (Mrs. William Leonard), Mary A. (Mrs. James Crosby) and William H. Mr. Dickerson was an enterprising man, and secured his property through his own efforts. Politically he was first a Whig, and upon the formation of the party became a Republican. He died in 1860 and his widow in 1890, and the remains of both are interred in the family cemetery, which is on the home farm. William H. Dickerson was born January 5, 1840, on the home farm in Franklin township, and passed his boyhood in the usual farm duties, and in attending the neighboring schools. On October 18, 1877, he was united in marriage with Millie, daughter of Christopher Bibby, a resident of Waynesburg, Greene Co., Penn., and one of its earliest settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson have had the following children: Sarah (deceased), Archie and Bessie. Mr. Dickerson is one of the enterprising citizens of the township, and is an active member of the Republican party.

Text taken from page 1358 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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