The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-03
DIR. w. L. DICKENSON
Mexican War Veteran of Distinc
ton.

Mexican War Veteran of Distinc-
ton.
There is no life in the State Of California
that is more full of instruction far the ambi-
tl0us young men OF this State than the sub
ject of the present sketch DR.. Dickinson
is native of Tennessee, and is scion of
line distinguished by mental activity. With
his fathers family he braved the terFors of
the West ana crossed tine plains before the
days Of the gold fever and arrived here in
1876 His history would read more like
romance than aught else il given in detail
since he left Missouri in 1916 bound for the
land of gold. 1t is record of dangers
bravely met and obstacles overcome by per-
sistent pluck and endurance. The difficult
ties encountered by the emigTant train in
which he crossed the plains would read
like dime novel, and yet they are true in
fact. His party had many difficulties with
the Indians, and they We're caught in the
storm that so sadly ended the tate of the
Reed and Bonner party. His family, after
Drawing the bardShipS OF the plains aud
mountains, arrived in the State and settled
in San Jose. He early displayed his patriot
ism by enlistlng as a volunteer in the
Mexican army under Captain joseph
Aran. Though but mere boy, he served
with distinction until peace was declared
Mexican War Veteran living. his biog-
raphy Will be read with all the greater
! interest on the daWning of the glad New
Year. On his arrival home from the war,
beng filled with true pioneer spirit, he
started for the mines and located on the
South Fork of the American River While
there the doctor learned what seems a new
version of the discovery Of gold. and we
give It IN his own words; Marshall and
Peter Winner were digging mill-race for
l. hat. f,,1a
was known as Suffers Fort AS these two
employees of Suffer came across the nuggets
of gold they simply placed them TO one side
Suspecting them TO be this valuable metal
The smaller pieces were entirely neglected.
Mr.. Winner ia doing out the next washing
dropped a nugget weighing two or three
ounces in the boiling water without chang
ing color. Suspicion had at last grown into
enthusiasm and Marshall was selected TO
report TO Sutter, while Winner worked
away on the mill-race BY this means the
latter has been deprived Of his true share
in this most valuable of metals, which has
gone so far in making this State and given
il the name OF Golden" In 1S49 DR.. Dicken-
son settled in Stockton-then called Weber
vile and before there was house in the
place. Being possessed Of some means,
which ne had earned by the sweat Of his
brow, and being youth OF StudiOuS turn
of mind, he determined TO go East for the
purpose of getting an education. In addi-
ton to taking q most rigid course of medi-
cal studies under Dr. Graves of his native
State, he graduated with distinction from
the Commercial College of Cleveland,
Ohio. On his return TO this State he in
vested largely in lands in Stanslaus and
MERGED counties, and which he has retained
TO the present day, consisting OF about "a, 600
acres, well improved and under high state
of cultivation. He also owns land in other
portions of the State and New Mexico. In
1864 he was hOnored by being elected 10 the
Assembly from the joint counties of Mer-
ced and StaEiSlaus, and served his term
with honor to himself and for the good of
his constituents lie has always been
consistent member Of the Democratic party.
He holes advanced IDEAS with regard 20 the
electoral college and believes in its diseOn-
tinuaHce, and the election of Senator by the
popular voice of the people. His views on
the question of taxation are sound, belsy-
ing as he does that no more taxes should be
levied than are sufficient to deiraY the eX-
penses Of government admin stTatiOn on a
basis Of integrity and economy. La the
good management of his extensive business
affairs, as we'll as in the practice of his pro-
feSsfUn. he has shown himself to be a man
Of marked ability. For some years he was
associated with DR.. L. ID. johnson of San
Jose, one Of the leading surgeons OF the
day. To early pioneers it viii be interest
ing To know that as youth in company
with his father he assisted in burning the
first brick kiln in California, located in
Monterey. Thus he has been justly re-
wardet for having stood by the State from
first 10 last, and being its true friend and
uph0lder and in place Of going elsewhere
TO enjoy what he made here has always be-
lieved that there was no place like the land
OF flowers and golden promise.