Biography - WILLIAM P. DICKIE

Among the well known citizens of Bunker Hill closely identified with the business and public interests of the community is numbered William P. Dickie, who was born in this city on the 19th of October, 1858. His father, Robert Dickie, was a native of Dairy, Scotland, whence he came to the United States in early manhood. He was a wood worker by occupation, and established a shop in Bunker Hill, Macoupin county, here engaging in his trade until his death. After his arrival in this country he was married to Miss Mary Patrick, who was born in Dairy, Scotland, and at the age of seventy-eight years is still living. Unto this union were born six children, as follows: James, now deceased; William P., of this review; Lizzie, the wife of J. M. Harlan; Mary, at home; Robert, a jeweler of Lebanon, Missouri; and John, engaging in farming in Bunker Hill township. William P. Dickie was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and was but twelve years of age when his father passed away. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, and after laying aside his text-books began an apprenticeship to the jeweler’s trade under the direction of I. W. Camp. In 1883 he purchased the business of Mr. Camp and has since been most successfully engaged in this line of activity. He has a well appointed establishment, showing an artistic and carefully selected line of goods, and his business sagacity ranks him among the leading merchants of Bunker Hill.

About twenty-seven years ago Mr. Dickie was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Tirrill, and unto them were born six children, namely: William H., now deceased; Robert, who has also passed away; John Tirrill, who is engaged in the advertising business in St. Louis; Chester O., a resident of Seattle, Washington; Lawrence, in the jewelry business at Kennett, Missouri; and Mary Louise, attending the Illinois Woman’s College.

Mr. and Mrs. Dickie hold membership in the Congregational church and the former also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He owns a beautiful home in Bunker Hill and the family is prominent in social circles here. An active worker in the republican ranks, few citizens are better known in this locality than Mr. Dickie, whose public-spirited efforts have been potent factors in the welfare of the community. He served as a member of the township board of education some time, also represented his ward as alderman in the town council and has been postmaster of Bunker Hill for the past thirteen years. In every relation of life he has been found true to high ideals of manhood and is numbered among the representative and valued citizens of Macoupin county.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 22-23.