The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-03
DIR. W. L. DICKINSON.
A Mexican War Veteran of Distiuc-

A Mexican War Veteran of Distiuc-
zion.
There is no life in the State of California
that is more full of instruction for the ambi-
tious young men of this State than the sub
ject of the present Sketch. DR.. Dickinson
is a native of Tennessee, and is a scion of a
line distinguished by mental activity With
his fathers family he braved the terrorS of
the West and crossed the plains before the
days of the gold fever and arrived here In
1916. His history would read more like a
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
brayeIy met and obstacles overcome by per-
sistent pluck and endurance. The difficult
ties encountered by the emigrant 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 were caught in the
storm that so sadly ended the fate of the
Reed and Bonner party. His family.
after Drawing the hardships of the
plains and mountains, arrived in this
State and settled in San Jose. He
early displayed his patriotism by enlisting
as volunteer in the Mexican army under
Captain Joseph Aram. Though but mere
boy he served with distinction until peace
was declared in Nav. 1S47 As he is the
youngest Mexican War Veteran living his
biography will be read with all the greater
interest on the dawning of the glad New
Year. On his arrival home from the war,
being filled with true pioneer spirit. he
started for the mines and located on the
South Fork Of the Americ IN River. While
there the doctor learned what seems new
version Of the discovery of gold, and we
give it in his own words: Marshall and
Peter Winner were digging mIll-race for
Suffer, who was al that time living in what
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 IN dong out the next washing
dropped a nugget weighing two or three
ounces in the boiling water without chang
ing color. Suspicion bad at last grown into
enthusiasm and Marshall was selected to
report to Suffer, while Winner worked
away on the mIl-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
it the name Of Golden. In 1919 DR.. Dickin-
son settled in StOcRtOn-then called Weber
yille-and before there was house in the
place. Being possessed of some means,
which he had earned by the sweat of his
brow. and being a man OF studious turn Of
mind lie determined to 90 East for The
purpose of getting an education. In addi-
ton to taking most rigid course of med
zeal 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 me In
vested largely in lands in Stanislans and
MERGED counties, and which he has retained
to the present day, consisting of about
$4,000 acres. well improved and under a
high state of cultivation. ii Is also large
landowner in this city and New Mexico.
In 1864 he was h0n0red by being elected to
the Assembly from the joint counties
of MERGED and Stauislaus. and served
his term with honor to himself and
for the good Of his constituents He has
always been a consistent member of the
Democratic party. He holds advanced
ideas with regard to the electoral college
and believes in its dIscontlnuance, and the
election of Senator by the popular voice of
the people. His views on the question of
taxation are sound, believing as he does
that no more taxes should be levied than are
sufficient TO defray the expenses of Cover n-
ment administration on q basis of integrity
and economy. In the good management of
his extensive business affairs. as we'll as in
the practice OF his profession, he has shown
himself to be man of marked ability For
some years he was associated with Dir. T.
ID. johnson of San jose, one of the leading
surgeons of the day. To early pioneers ii
will be interesting to know that as a youth
in company with his father he assisted in
burning the first brick kiln in California.
located in Monterey. Thus he has been
justly rewarded for having stood by the
State from first to last, and being its true
friend and upholder. and in place of going