JOHN R. DICKEN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born November 27, 1834, in Liberty, Ohio. His parents, David and Diana (Lewman) Dicken, natives of Bedford County, Penn., settled in Liberty Township, this county, in 1831, and entered land from the Government. He was a local preacher, and one of the earliest shoe-makers of that township. Of their thirteen children three boys and five girls are living. The deceased are Isaac O. and Henry C., who gave their lives in defense of their country in the war of 1861 ; Joshua H., who died at home, from disabilities received in his country's service; Albert M., who died of consumption and Martha. David Dicken ended a useful life April 7. 1871; his widow died October 21, 1873. Our subject was married, July 15, 1855 to Mary A. Sour, a native of Summit County, Ohio, and who came to Seneca County, in 1852, with her parents, Jacob and Mary A. (Harter) Sour, and to this union were born Jasper P. (of Hicksville, Ohio), Mrs. Luella S. Ringle (of Jackson Township, this county), U. S. Grant, Genera E. and Clinton E.

Mr. Dicken spent four months in 1864 as a soldier in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He held position of second corporal, and left a record of a brave and faithful soldier, always at his post. After their marriage our subject and wife resided in Jackson Township, this county, until March, 1883, when they settled in Bloom Township, where they have a farm of 100 acres. Mr. Dicken is a Republican in politics. He held the office of trustee of Jackson Township four terms; was also postmaster of Amsden, this county, eight years. He is a member of high standing in the I. O. O. F.


Trancribed by Bonnie Walsh.
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1886
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, Part IV, p.736
BLOOM TOWNSHIP