Polk Co. IAGenWeb

DICKINSON, DR. W. H. — Was born at Stanstead, Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 19th day of September, 1829. His father was of English descent and his mother of Welsh parentage. He received an academic education in his native village. After leaving school he went South, and was engaged in teaching for four years, the first half of that time as principal of the Louisville (Georgia) Female Seminary, and the latter half in the preparatory school of Mercer University, Penfield, Georgia. Having always had a taste for the medical profession, he commenced reading, first with Dr. Hunter, of Louisville, and afterward with Dr. Jones, of Penfield. From Georgia he proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended lectures at the Homoeopathic College, from which institution he graduated in 1858. After graduating he located in this city, where he has since resided, excepting during the years 1863-4, when he visited New York and attended lectures at the Homoeopathic College on Twentieth street and Third Avenue, from which institution he graduated for the second time in the spring of 1865. He then immediately returned to Des Moines and resumed his practice, which has now become large and lucrative. In 1870 he was elected President of the Iowa State Medical Society. In 1877 Dr. D. was elected to the chair of Theory and Practice of Homoeopathy in the Iowa State University, which position he has filled since. In Apri1, 1880, he was appointed a member of the State Board of Health, and was subsequently elected Vice-President. He married Miss Sarah A. Butin on the 24th day of December, 1853. She is a native of Rensselaer county, New York. Their family consists of three children: Wilmot D., Robert and Warren.