From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 899-901.
 
NATHAN DICKINSON.  The influence of Nathan DICKINSON, of Linn township, has 
ever made for the advancement of Walworth county in every relation of life, 
and, standing for upright manhood and progressive citizenship, he has long 
occupied a conspicuous place among the representatives of the great 
agricultural interests of southern Wisconsin, his life having been signally 
free from even the suspicion of wrongdoing, and he is known as a liberal-
minded, obliging and useful citizen who has justly won large material success 
and the confidence and good will of all who know him.
 
Mr. DICKINSON was born in Curtisville, Massachusetts, amid the beautiful 
Berkshire hills, February 6, 1848, and he is the second son of Albert F. and 
Ann Eliza (ANTHONY) DICKINSON.  His mother was a sister of Daniel ANTHONY, 
whose children were known throughout the country, including Susan B. ANTHONY, 
the great woman's rights advocate and authoress.
 
Samuel DICKINSON, paternal grandfather of the subject, was the school-master 
of the town where he lived and one of the selectmen.  Albert F. DICKINSON, 
father of the subject, was a miller in early life and he took an active 
interest in public affairs, finally serving in the Massachusetts Legislature.  
In 1854 he and his family moved to Chicago, where he engaged in the general 
grain, produce and seed business, and was among the oldest members of the 
Chicago Board of Trade.  There Mrs. DICKINSON was one of the founders of the 
First Society of Friends in Chicago.
 
Nathan DICKINSON attended school in that city, being a student in the Dearborn 
high school in 1865 when he found it necessary to leave school and assist his 
father in business.  The elder DICKINSON had started his store on Kenzie 
street, between Dearborn and State streets.  In the great fire of 1871 he lost 
everything except a memorandum of the debts which the firm owed.  The blow was 
a severe one, and the father's health was failing; but in 1872 his two sons, 
Albert and Nathan, who had been engaged with him, together with their brother, 
Charles, then only fourteen years old, gathered up the remnants of the 
businesses and carried it on for a period of sixteen years under the old firm 
name.  They did all the work themselves, their sister, Melissa, keeping the 
books.  They paid the debts incurred by the old firm and put the business on a 
paying basis.  The quarters on Kenzie street were outgrown and other quarters 
were rented for a few years, later moving to the corner of Clark and Sixteenth 
streets where large elevators and commodious offices were erected.  In time 
even these were outgrown and an office was built especially for them by the 
Chicago Dock Company on the property in Taylor street, into which they moved 
May 1, 1898.  The business extends over a large part of the world, and they 
are buyers as well as sellers in all the large foreign markets where goods in 
their line are handled.  They make a specialty of clover, flax and grass 
seeds, also do an extensive business in bird seed, popcorn, seed grain, grain 
bags, etc.
 
The business was incorporated in 1888 under the name of A. F. DICKINSON Seed & 
Grain Company, the incorporators being Albert DICKINSON, Nathan DICKINSON's 
eldest brother, who is president; Charles DICKINSON, a younger brother, is 
vice-president, and Nathan DICKINSON is treasurer.  The business was founded 
on honesty and square dealing and by reason of unimpeachable record for 
integrity and conservative management they established a high credit in the 
world of business and finance.
 
Nathan DICKSON has been in the seed business since boyhood.  He is also a 
director in the Chicago Dock Company.  In 1883 he bought the nucleus of what 
later became his home farm, which lies near the southeast shore of Lake 
Geneva, and he built a commodious home there and here he has resided ever 
since.  Nathan DICKINSON was married in 1889 to Louise H. BOYD, daughter of 
Gen. J. W. BOYD.  Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DICKINSON, 
namely: Ruth B. and Albert B.  Mr. DICKINSON is unassuming and modest to a 
fault, contented with a quiet life on the farm rather than the bustle and 
hurry of the metropolis.  He is firm in his convictions for the right, 
considerate of others and he values character above wealth.
 
Submitted by Carol