Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every Wednesday/Thursday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 378-379.

T. DICKERSON. [Editor inserted: Terisha Dickerson] - The esteemed citizen and early pioneer whose name is mentioned above has wrought is this county for nearly one half of a century, being one of its earliest settlers and has always maintained an unsullied reputation for integrity and uprightness, while his industry and wise judgment have placed him in the front ranks of the leading men of the county.


He was born on January 5, 1828, in Tennessee, where he received a good education and grew to manhood. In 1849 he removed to Iowa and engaged in blacksmithing for ten years. Following this he crossed the plains with ox teams and settled in Washington territory, remaining there for about one year, when he came to Umatilla county in 1860, and soon embarked in the stock business and agriculture, which he has uninterruptedly followed since, reaping that success that invariably comes to wisely and continuously directed effort, although he has been beset with many adverse and trying circumstances. In the winter of 1860 and 1861 his whole bank of stock, except some few stragglers was killed by the severe weather. He took a homestead near Hudson bay and still retains it, having added more by purchase.


He was married on January 17, 1856, to Miss Clarissa Beamis, and to them were born ten children: Malissa, wife of Henry C. Derrick, of this county; Annie, wife of Charles Sanders; Frank, married and living near Hudson bay; Almira, wife of Charles Russell; Charles, married; Adda, wife of L. Conrad, all living in this county. The others are deceased. On May 14, 1895, Mrs. Dickerson passed away to her reward in another world, and her remains are buried near their home. Mr. Dickerson has always taken an active part in political matters, being a leading figure in his party, the Republican. He affiliates with the Christian church, being an ardent worker in the cause of is faith. On January 17, 1900, he was married to Mrs. K. P. Savage, widow of J. H. Savage, who has six children. Of late years, Mr. Dickerson has retired from the active life of former years and is enjoying the golden years of his career in a pleasant home in Milton, where he receives the respect and esteem of his entire acquaintanceship, which he so justly merits.