Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1894-01-25

spected resident of Webster, Rev
William Goodell Dickinson, who
died in hospital at Laporte, Ind, al
$3.50 A. NJ, Jan. 21st, 1894, in the
fifty-seeond year of his life, of tumor
on the brain, after an illness of near
ly two years.
Deceased was born in Conway,
Massachusetts,, Dec. 5th., 1912; at
the age of three years, removed with
his parents to Illinois, where his
youth and early manhood was spent
in the peaceful, healthy pursuits OF
the farm. Here he got the ground
work of his education, and here were
instilled the principles of ar honest,
upright manhood.
In 1862, Mr.. Dickinson enlisted
in the Sixth Illinois Cavalry and
served to the end of the war.
At the close of the war he en-
gagged in business for a short period
and studied for the ministry. He
was ordained a Congregational min
lister in 1872, and was united in
marriage Sept 9th, 1875, to Mrs.
Mary H. Howarth, of Philadelphia,
Pa.
In April, 1882, he came with
his family to Dakota and located a
claim north of Webster, and preach
ed regularly here. He conducted
the first divine services held in Day
county, in the building now occupied
by Kline Bros. as a meat market.
1t was largely by his efforts that the
first church edifce in Webster, the
Congregational church, was erected
and sustained. He was a Jealous
worker and did much for the cause
of humanity, and, by his bearing
and precepts, won the confidence and
esteem of all.
In 1882, after the county was organ
lied, the elected Supt. of Schools, E,
R. Thompson, resigned and Mr. Dick
inson was appointed to ell the va
cancy, and so we'll did he conduct
the affairs of the Office, that he was
elected to serve in the position for
another term. When the question
of the division and admission of the
state came up, he was selected a del
egate to the constitutional conven-
ton, and served in that body with
distinction.
A strong supporter of tenn
perance, he was from the very out
set, an un-compromising opponent of
the liquor traffic; WAS SAT- N of the
most persevering, 'roughest, bitterest
foes the liquor dealer had to face.
He handled them and their institu-
tons without gloves. His record in
this as OIL all other questions, is con-
sistent one.
He was we'll known throughout
the state and his influence and
counsel was felt abroad as we'll as
locally.
A fluent, easy talker, deep thinker
and sound ~reasoner, he could hold an
audience, interest his hearers and
carried conviction with his argu-
ments.
The whole tenor of his life was
true to his country and just to his
God. In his daily walks and con-
versation he adorned his profession
was truly a Christian. His conduct
and intercourse with men has been
an honor to himself, family, friends,
and the principles he espoused. He
may have made mistakes; who has
not? but his were of the head, not of
the heart.
In 1887, he resigned the pastorate
of the Congregational church-to the
deep regret of not only the members
but the entire communicated m
barked in the lumber business; but
here the fates were against him and
he was unsuccessful. He became in
volved and was obliged to make an
assignment, which is largely attrib-
utable to his being too lenient.
Recognizing the true worth OF the
man, his superior ability and powers,
he was chosen as Supt. of Home