Archibald S. Dickson

biography

Dickson, Archibald S., Meadville, was born near here August 8, 1834, son of Joseph and Mary (Frazier) Dickson, natives of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent. Joseph Dickson was born February 12, 1790, in Pittsburgh, Penn., and came with his parents to Crawford County, in 1794. He and his brother Robert served in the war of 1812, he being an Orderly-Sergeant, and he is still drawing a pension for his services. In 1815 and 1818 he built a flour and sawmill, four miles north of Meadville, which he operated for eighteen years; was also engaged in farming. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an Elder since 1831. His wife was born in 1800. They reared twelve children and one died in infancy, seven now residing in this county. Two of his sons participated in the late war, viz.: William now living in Meadville, and Joseph, who served as First Lieutenant. The subject of this sketch moved with his parents to Pittsburgh in 1839, and to Meadville in 1840. He attended the common schools, and when fourteen years of age commenced to learn the drug business, and when nineteen years old embarked in the same line on his own account, and this industry he conducted successfully for twenty-one years and then retired. Mr. Dickson was elected and served, 1868-69, as a member of the City Council; in 1871 was elected Mayor, and re-elected in 1872. During 1877 and 1878 he served again in the Council. He was appointed and served two years, 1878 and 1879, as President of the Missouri & Pacific Railroad; was also a Director of the Meadville Railroad, serving as President of the latter in 1883. Mr. Dickson has successfully engaged in various enterprises.

History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania: containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1885, page 732.