Biography - WILLIAM P. DICKIE

William P. Dickie, postmaster at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, and one of the prominent citizens of the place, was born at Bunker Hill, October 14, 1859. His home always having been here, he is widely known and a very popular official, having been the choice of his fellow citizens for many responsible offices in the past. He is a son of Robert and Mary (Patrick) Dickie.

Robert Dickie was born in Scotland and, after the death of his father, with his mother took passage in a ship for America. The ship was wrecked and, although their lives were preserved, they lost all their belongings, and when they reached Alton, Illinois, were poor indeed. He soon found work at his trade of carpenter and later moved to Bunker Hill, where he operated a wagon shop until his death, in 1870, at the age of 35 years. He married Mary Patrick who was born in Scotland and accompanied her parents to Alton and thence to Bunker Hill, where they died. Our subject is the oldest of their family of six children, the others being: Mrs. Elizabeth M. Harland, of Madison, Illinois; Robert, a jeweler of St. James, Missouri; Mary E., assistant postmaster at Bunker Hill; John S., a carpenter of Bunker Hill; and Edward, who died at Bunker Hill, aged 21 years.

After completing the common school course at Bunker Hill, Mr. Dickie spent one year at the local academy, and then learned the jewelry business with I. W. Camp, with whom he remained five yearsT He then conducted a business for himself until February, 1898, when he was appointed postmaster. In politics a stanch Republican, Mr. Dickie has been elected to many offices in the gift of the party. He has served with the greatest efficiency as city treasurer, as member of the. City Council and also on the Board of Education. He has been very active in politics, for 12 years has been a member of the Republican Central Committee, and as delegate to county and State conventions has proven his leadership. He is a strong party man and took a very conspicuous position in the convention which nominated Governor Richard Yates.

In 1880 Mr. Dickie married Mary H. Tirrill, who was born in St. Louis, and is a daughter of Henry and Louise Tirrill, natives of New York. They have four children: John T., with the Graham Paper Company of St. Louis; Chester O., a member of the class of 1904 of the Bunker Hill High School; Lawrence P., also attending the Bunker Hill High School; and Mary Louise, who is in school.

Fraternally, Mr. Dickie belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a Master Mason, being a member of Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M.

Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 144-145.