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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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MARQUIS F. DICKINSON, a prosperous farmer and an old resident of Amherst, was born in that town, January 4, 1814, son of Walter and Lydia E. Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson’s ancestors were among the early settlers of Amherst; and his great-grandfather, Nathaniel Dickinson, first located upon the present Dickinson farm, and owned a large tract of land. He died in 1806, leaving one son.

Mr. Dickinson’s grandfather, Nathaniel Dickinson, was born in Amherst, September 9, 1750. He graduated from Harvard University in 1772, and was for many years the only lawyer in that part of Hampshire County. He became prominent in public affairs, was a Justice of the Peace, and for thirteen years Town Clerk. He resided with his parents, whom he assisted in managing the farm, and died at the age of fifty-two years. Nathaniel Dickinson was a Unitarian in his religious belief. He married Sarah Marsh, who was born July 20, 1753, and she became the mother of two children, namely: Susannah, who died October 8, 1836; and Walter, Mr. Dickinson’s father. The mother died in 1801.

Walter Dickinson was born at the homestead in Amherst, May 2, 1784. He was a well-to-do farmer, and always resided upon the Dickinson farm. He was independent in politics and liberal in his religious views. He died April 9, 1851. His wife, who was born in North Amherst in 1791, became the mother of ten children, as follows: Sylvester; Frederick E., who resides in Leverett, Mass.; Marquis F., the subject of this sketch; N. Albert; Lydia E., who resides at the old homestead; Nehemiah; Leander M. and Amy S., who are now deceased; Walter M., a resident of Georgia; and Sarah M., wife of Jonathan Cowls. The mother died March 21, 1828.

Marquis F. Dickinson received his education in the public schools of Amherst, and grew to manhood at the Dickinson homestead. He engaged in the manufacture of brooms in North Hadley, following that occupation for some time during his early manhood. After a residence in North Hadley of a few years he returned to Amherst, and, in company with his brother Sylvester, built a grist-mill in that town, which they operated for some years. In 1844 he engaged in agriculture upon the farm where he now resides, built the residence, and has enjoyed a long period of prosperity. Mr. Dickinson is a Republican in politics, and was for many years actively interested in the town government. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for seven years, during which he served as chairman. He was also Assessor for several years. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is the oldest member of Pacific Lodge.

On November 20, 1838, Mr. Dickinson was united in marriage to Hannah Williams. She was born in Shutesbury, Mass., November 9, 1817, only daughter of Asa and Prudence Williams. Asa Williams was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was an early settler in Shutesbury, where he followed the trade of a shoemaker. He died in Shutesbury, aged seventy-six; and his wife, who lived to the age of ninety, died at the home of her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson had ten children, namely: Jane, Mary, and Walter, who are deceased; Marquis F., born July 15, 1840, a lawyer of Boston; Sarah A., born October 8, 1848, the wife of F. L. Pope, an electrician of Great Barrington, Mass.; Roxy E., born April 5, 1851, wife of E. Holbrook, a shoe manufacturer of Holbrook, Mass.; Asa W., born October 24, 1853, a lawyer of Jersey City, N.J.; Walter M., born April 5, 1856, a Lieutenant in the United States Army, and for the past three years military instructor at the Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst; Julia A., born June 7, 1859, wife of the Rev. Charles S. Nickerson, a Universalist preacher of Abington, Mass.; and Hannah F., born September 28, 1861, wife of Professor Joseph B. Lindsey, of the Massachusetts Agricultural College.

Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson are the oldest married couple in their neighborhood, and have celebrated both their silver and golden weddings. Mrs. Dickinson is a member of the Congregational church.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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