Miami Union
June 10, 1876
DICKEY, WILLIAM - William Dickey was born in Huntington Co., Pa.,
Feb. 6th, 1800. On the 7th day of April 1825, he was united in marriage to
Susannah Roop, who preceded him but a few years to the better land. When
about 35 years old he removed to Seneca Co., Ohio. A second removal was to
Van Wert Co.; from there to Miami Co.; and again he removed back to Van Wert
Co., where at the home of Samuel Roop, his brother-in-law, in his
seventy-seventh year, April 20th, 1876, he died, in full assurance that he was
entering on the joys of an endless life. More than fifty-two years ago he
united with the M. E. Church; and more than twenty years had served the Church
as a class leader. All who knew him loved and confided in him as a father.
The writer has personal knowledge of him, having been his pastor for one year.
So regular was his attendance on all the means of grace that the congregation
always seemed incomplete without Bro. Dickey. Too much cannot be said
about the correctness of his life. In a word that life was a power for the
truth in any community in which he lived. A number of years before his
death Bro. Dickey professed the blessing of Sanctification, by my recollection
is that was very modest in the profession of it; that he endeavored rather, as
all christians should, to let his light shine rather than make it shine by
naming a profession. His works showed that he walked with God.
Father Dickey had a patriotic spirit combined with his religion which is worthy
of notice. Having but one son when the war broke out between the North and
South he said to that son -Go." That son, like many other nobler men gave
his life for his country and returned not again to comfort his parents in old
age, but his father like a true patriot gave him up without a murmur. Many
who read this will no doubt remember Father Dickey's prayers for the success of
the Union army; and his faith in its ultimate triumph. He lived long
enough to see the right prevail. Although disease had impaired his mental
faculties he forgot not the name on which he relied for salvation. In
answer to some questions put by a friend he said "the nearer the Jordan the
sweeter the Saviour's love." (One of his favorite hymns was "for a
thousand tongues" &c., and another "My buried friends."
The following lines are applicable to the closing scenes of his life.
"How blest the righteous when he dies,
When sinks a weary soul to rest;
J. CARR
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