ROBERT MORRIS DICKSON, owner of eighty acres of land in Spring Creek Township, about four and a half miles east of Piqua, comes of an old family of this section and was born on an adjoining farm, March 15, 1860. He is a son of Samuel McKnight and Jane (Patterson) Dickson, and a grandson of John Dickson, who was of Scotch-Irish descent.

John Dickson was born in Pennsylvania and early in life settled in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers and where the family name has since been a prominent one. He located on what is known as the old Dickson homestead and erected a brick house, of brick burned on the farm; this house is still standing. Politically he was a Democrat. He married Jane McKnight, and they became parents of five children: Samuel McKnight, Sarah Ann, James, Jane Eleanor, who died young, and Joseph.

Samuel McKnight Dickson was born in Rossville, Spring Creek Township, September 1, 1824, and received his education in the district schools of the township. He worked on the home place and engaged in teaching during his younger days, and was known to possess a mind of unusual brilliancy. After he gave up teaching he settled on the farm across the road from the place of the subject of this record, and there farmed until his death, May 26, 1862. He was a Republican in politics, and served as township clerk, infirmary director and in various township offices. He was joined in marriage with Jane Patterson, who was born in Pennsylvania, August 31, 1832, and was six years of age when brought to the old Patterson homestead in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, by her parents, Robert and Mary Patterson. They had two sons: John Charles, who was born December 29, 1857, and never married, his death occurring May 9, 1899; and Robert Morris, whose name heads this record.

Robert Morris Dickson attended the district schools of his home district, the normal school at Danville, Indiana, and Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. He then engaged in teaching for a period of eighteen years, being located successively in various parts of Miami County, also one year in Iowa and two years in Kentucky. After giving up his professional work he located on his present farm, where he has carried on general farming and stock raising. He has met with considerable success in raising pure blood Poland China hogs.

Mr. Dickson was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Himmelright, a daughter of John H. and Mary Himmelright, her father being one of the leading contractors of Piqua. She was graduated from Piqua High School in 1883, being valedictorian of her class and then attended Ohio Northern University at Ada, Ohio. Upon leaving that institution she was engaged in teaching in Piqua until her marriage, and also taught a class in Sunday school for twelve years. She is a lady of refinement and the highest accomplishments, and is president of the Domestic Science Club. Mr. Dickson is a prominent member of the Grange and is one of the subordinate officers. He served as delegate to the State Grange, and Mrs. Dickson read a paper on household matters before the State Institute at Columbus. Politically he is an active Republican and has been delegate to various county, congressional and senatorial conventions. He has served as secretary of the township organization, and has also served nine years as township trustee, and six years as road supervisor, and was for a time a member of the School Board. He is a trustee of the United Presbyterian church of Piqua, of which he and his wife have been members for many years.