Littleton New Hampshire Children’s Fiction Author: Tor Seidler (1952-Still Living)

Tor Seidler, the son of John M. & Jean (Burch) Seidler was born in Littleton, New Hampshire.

Tor Siedler

After his parents divorced and remarried, he moved with his mother, Jean “Jeannie” Falls, and his stepfather to Burlington, Vermont where he grew up, and later to Seattle, Washington.

According to several of his on-line biographies, he studied English literature at Stanford University, graduating in 1972. He then moved to New York City and became a freelance contributor to the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Language Arts program. At age 27 his first book, “The Dulcimer Boy” was published (1979). This book received a fiction award from Washington State Writer’s Day.

Since then Tor has gone on to write many other children’s books and to garner book awards,  including New York Times Outstanding Children’s Book of the Year (Terpin, 1982), American Library Association Notable Book (The Wainscott Weasel, 1993) In 1990 he also published a novel for adults, “Take a Good Look.”

In researching Tor, I discovered that his paternal great-grandfather was none other than William B. Dickson, a businessman of Pittsburgh Steel fame who built a summer lodge called “Highland Croft” in Littleton New Hampshire.

In 2007 during the writing of this article, I was told that this amazing “Arts & Crafts” style lodge was soon to be demolished, unless someone interceded quickly.  I spoke to a local historian who indicated that two pieces of Dickson family lore include that Henry Ford was friends with the family and visited this lodge, and that the one of the people who assisted in adding electricity to this building was none other than Thomas Edison.  Did they actually have these relationships with the lodge, or did they simply pass through on one of their well-known vagabond voyages?

On December 11, 2007 an email from the Laconia Historical Society confirms that “the farmhouse and red barns have been demolished, the woods have been cleared to the point where you can see the lodge and white house. The property is now up for sale again and we hear the lodge may be coming down soon.  It’s a very sad sight.”  Some of the original land of Highland Croft, were put on the market for sale. The building had been vandalized. On May 17, 2008, Highland Croft (a building just this year deemed eligible for the NH Historic Register) burned to the ground. “Only the stone chimney, stone supports and a few wood columns remain.”

Janice

**Additional Reading**

-Brief Biography of Tor Seidler-

–TOR SEIDLER: A World That Mirrors Our Own– (1988)

**SEIDLER FAMILY GENEALOGY**

William F. Seidler was born about 1832 in Ziegenheim, Germany. According to his son’s biography, he was an architect and builder in Germany. He emigrated to New York in 1850 and married there in 1856 to Amelia Deisler. She was born June 1835 in Baden, Germany. By 1870 he was living in Newark NJ and William F. was engaged in the marble business there until his death in 1883. Amelia died after 1900, probably in Newark, New Jersey where she is found in the census.
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1870 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Newark Ward 10
Seidler, Fred 38 M Marble cutter 100 Rourhiv [b abt 1832 Germany]
Seidler, Emily 35 Keeping House Baden
Seidler, William 13 M at school NY
Seidler, Henry 11 M at school NJ
Seidler, Fredrick 8 M NJ
Seidler, August 6 M NJ
Seidler, Tilly 3 F NJ
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U.S. Census > 1880 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Newark > District 61
Seidler, William F. marble cutter Ger Ger Ger
Seidler, Emily A. W F 46 wife Ger Ger Ger
Seidler, William A. W M 29 son jeweler NY Ger Ger
Seidler, Augustus W M 18 son apprentice to jewelry NY Ger Ger
Seidler, Lilly W F 13 dau at school NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Alexander W M 6 son at school NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Mary W F 3 dau NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, William F. W M 20 son clerk in drug store NY Ger Ger
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Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, page 199 — William F. Seidler MD
He is a native of Newark, having been born in the tenth ward of this city on the 16th of September, 1860, the son of William F. and Amelia (Deisler) Seidler, the former of whom was born in Ziegenheim, Germany, and the latter in Baden, in the same great empire. William F. Seidler, Sr. was an architect and builder in the fatherland, and upon attaining his majority he determined to seek his fortune in America, emigrating and arriving in New York in 1850. He married there in 1856 to Miss Deisler, and soon after removed with his wife to Newark NJ where he engaged in the marble business until his death in 1883.
William Fred Seidler attended public schools, and for a short time attended to his father’s business. He worked in a drug store until 1878 studying the business, and passed the state board of pharmacy in 1879. He graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1884 and performed pharmaceutical work as a registered clerk until 1887 when he went into business for himself. He purchased a drug store at No. 21 Ferry Street. He was a student at Bellevue Hospital Medical College graduating in the class of 1891. He immediately returned to Newark for active practice, continuing also in the drug business.  From 1891 to 1895 he was district physician and for six years served as house surgeon of St. Michael’s Hospital. He was also the visiting physician of the German Hospital, chief of the genito-urinary clinic in the city dispensary, and a member of the State Medical Society, the Essex County Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Aesculapian Society of which he was the first incumbent as president. He was a member of the Essex Country Club, and was a member of the Essex Troop, National Guard, New Jersey Militia.
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Belleville NJ., Feb 22 — Dr. William Frederick Seidler, 76 years old, retired surgeon, died of a heart ailment in his home here tonight.
Dr. Seidler was the first house surgeon and medical director of St. James’ Hospital, Newark and was for twenty years house surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital and the old German Hospital, both of Newark [NJ]. For fifty years, until 1925, he conducted a drug store in downtown Newark.
He was graduated from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1884 and from the Bellevue Hospital Medical School in 1891. He is survived by two brothers, William A. and Alexander Seidler, and a sister Miss Lillian Seidler.
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U.S. Census > 1910 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Newark Ward 8 > District 69
Seidler, Lillian K. Head F W 43 single NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Marie C. sister F W 32 single NJ Ger Ger
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Children of William F. and Amelia (Deisler) Seidler:
1. +William A. Seidler, b. June 1856 in New York
2. Henry Seidler, b. abt 1859 in NJ
3. Frederick aka William F. Seidler, M.D, b. 16 Sep 1860 in Newark NJ (see biography above)
4. Augustus Seidler, b. Oct 1862 in Newark NJ
5. Lillian “Tilly” Seidler, b. Nov 1869 in Newark NJ
6. Alexander Seidler, b. 5 July 1873 Newark NJ and d. 12 July 1960 in Newark; he m. 21 June 1904 in South Orange NJ to Isabel Irene Riker of Newark NJ, daughter of Mrs. Anna C. Ricker; In 1910 residing in Newark NJ with wife, and sons Alexander Jr. (age 4), John (age 3) and Robert (newborn). They also had a son (the youngest) Richard. He was president of the Seidler Chemical and Supply Company of Newark NJ that he founded in 1923. He had previously founded the Seidler Drug Company in 1898. They resided at 24 Fairview Avenue.
7. Marie C. “Mary” Seidler, b. May 1878 in Newark NJ

William A. Seidler,  was b. June 1856 in New York and died after 1920 probably in Newark NJ. He married about 1886 to Katherine/Catherine —. She b. July 1865 in Germany. They resided in Newark, New Jersey. William was a jewelry manufacturer.
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Census > U.S. Census > 1900 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Newark Ward 10 > District 100
Seidler, William A. Head W M June 1856 43 married 14 yrs NY Ger Ger Jewelry mfg
Seidler, Catherine wife W F July 1865 34 married 14 yrs 3 ch 2 living Ger Ger Ger
Seidler, Victor son W M Apr 1886 14 single NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Fred son W M Dec 1884 10 single NJ Ger Ger
Griffin, Louisa niece W F Dec 1881 19 single NY Ire Germany
—living a few houses away—
Seidler, Amelia Head W F June 1835 64 married 27 yrs 7 ch 1 living Ger Ger Ger
Seidler August son W M Oct 1862 37 NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Lillian M. dau W F Nov 1869 30 single NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Marie C. dau W F May 1878 21 single NJ Ger Ger
Seidler, Alexander son M W July 1874 25 single NJ Ger Ger
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Census > U.S. Census > 1910 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Newark Ward 9 > District 78
Seidler, William A. Head M W 52 m1x 24 yrs NY Germany Germany  jewelry manufacturer
Seidler, Katherine wife F W 43 m1x 24 yrs 3 ch 2 living Ger Ger Ger imm naturalized
Seidler, Victor B. son M W 22 single NJ NY Ger
Seidler, Frederick A. son M W 20 NJ NY Ger
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U.S. Census > 1920 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > South Orange > District 315
Seidler, William A. Head M W 62 married NY Germany Germany VP, Wholesale Chemical Co
Seidler, Catherine wife F W 53 imm 1895 naturalized Alsace Lorraine-Ger Alsace Lorraine-Ger Alsace-Lorraine French
Seidler, Frederick A. son M W 29 single NJ NY Ger Sales & Buyer Exports & Imports
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Children of William A. & Katherine/Catherine (?) Seidler:
1. +Victor Bayard Seidler, b. April 1886 in Newark NJ
2. Frederick A. “Fred” Seidler, b. Dec 1884 in Newark NJ

Victor Bayard Seidler, b. 24 April 1886/1887 in Newark, NJ, and died 12 June 1961 at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair NJ; He m. 6 Sep 1919 at Littleton NH to Eleanor M. Dickson, dau of William B. & Mary B. (Dickson) Dickson. She b. 23 Jan 1896 in Pittsburgh PA. They resided at 16 Plymouth Street in Montclair NJ. Eleanor graduated from Wellesley College in 1917. Victor was a graduate of Brown and Columbia Universities, and was a physician and surgeon.
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Census > U.S. Census > 1920 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Montclair Ward 3 > District 82
Seidler, Victor B. Head  M W 31 married NJ NY France Medical Doctor [b abt 1889]
Seidler, Eleanor M. wife F W 24 married PA PA PA
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U.S. Census > 1930 United States Federal Census > New Jersey > Essex > Montclair > District 531
Seidler, Victor B. Dr. Head $35000 M W 41 married at age 31 NJ NY NY
Seidler, Elenor D. wife F W 34  married at age 25 PA PA PA
Seidler, William D. son M W 10 single NJ NJ PA
Seidler, John M> son M W 7 single NJ NJ PA
Seidler, Marjory D. dau F W 3 single NJ NJ NJ
[plus 3 servants]
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Published New York Times, September 7 1919
The wedding of Miss Eleanor Dickson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Dickson of Montclair, N.J. and Dr. Victor Bayard Seidler, also of Montclair, took place last evening at the Summer home of the bride’s parents, Highland Croft, Littleton, N.H. The Rev. S.J. Fisher of Pittsburgh, who officiated at the marriage of the bride’s parents officiated. The bride was a member of the class of 1917 at Wellesley College. Dr. Seidler is a graduate of Brown and Columbia Universities. The couple will reside at Montclair upon their return from a wedding trip.
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Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003 > Obituary > New York, New York > 1961
DR. VICTOR B. SEIDLER DIES AT 73; Headed Jersey Surgical Society
MONTCLAIR NJ, June 12 — Dr. Victor B. Seidler, a surgeon here for more than forty years, died today in Mountainside Hospital after a brief illness. He was 73 years old and lived at 16 Plymouth Street.
Dr. Seidler was director of the Department of Surgery at Mountainside Hospital and former president of the medical staff there. He was an organizer of both the urological and pathological departments at that hospital.
He was past president of the New Jersey Surgical Society and was a member of the founding group of the American Board of Surgeons. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Seidler, who was born in Newark [NJ] received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1910 and was graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1914. He served his internship at St. Luke’s Hospital and a residency at the Sloane Maternity Hospital in New York. He also served at St. Mary’s Hospital, New York, before becoming an associate in pathology at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1916. He was a major in the Medical Corps in France in World War I.
Dr. Seidler was town physician here in the Nineteen Twenties  Surviving are his widow, Eleanor, two sons John M. and William D. and a daughter Mrs. John H. Tilton.
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New York Times, 1949 – Sept 17
LITTLETON (NH) NUPTIALS
Miss Marjorie Dickson Seidler, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Victor Bayard Seidler of Littleton and Montclair NJ was married here today to John Havemeyer Tilton, son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Tilton Jr. of Littleton and Palm Beach FL in Highland Croft, the estate of her grandparents the late Mr. and Mrs. William B. Dickson. The Rev. Harvie Zuckerman performed the ceremony….Miss Ann Edge of Littleton was the maid of honor and the other attendants were Mrs. William Dickson Seidler of New York, Mrs. John Mitchell Seidler of Littleton and Miss Beverley Schweppe of Scarsdale NY. They all wore frocks of champagne satin and carried oak leaves and tiger flowers in varying shades of red and brown. George H. Tilton was best man for his brother, whose ushers were William Dickson and John Mitchell Seidler, brothers of the bride; George Mathey of Littleton and Frederick Anderson of New York. The bride attended the Emma Willard School in Troy NY, studied in Switzerland and was a member of the class of 1949 at Wellesley College.   Mr. Tilton who studied at St. George’s School in Newport RI and the Yale University School of Fine Arts, served with the Navy in the war. He is a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Havemeyer of New York and a great-great-grandson of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry.
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Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003 > Marriage > New York, New York > 1948 [New York Times]
Northampton, Mass, Aug 14–The marriage of Miss Ann Hobbet Ganong and the late Professor Ganong [Professor Emeritus at Smith College], to William Dickson Seidler, son of Dr. and Mrs. Victor B. Seidler of Monclair NJ and Littleton NH took place this afternoon in the Smith College Chapel here. The Rev. Paul McClurkin of Hadley Congregational Church performed the ceremony.
The bride, escorted by her brother, William F. Ganong…. Mrs. William F. Ganong Jr. the bride’s sister-in-law and Miss Jean Adams were matron and maid of honor respectively. Bridesmaids were the Misses Janice Brackett and Marjorie Seidler, sister of the bridegroom. A small reception was given in the home of the bride’s mother.
Mrs. Seidler graduated from Smith College. Her husband, an alumnus of Yale College and the Yale Law School, served as lieutenant during the war with the amphibious services. He holds the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.
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WWI Draft Registration Card
Victor Bayard Seidler, b. 24 Apr 1887 in Newark NJ, physician and surgeon
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WWII Draft Card b 24 Apr 1888 So Orange NJ
Residing 16 Plymouth St., Montclair NJ
NOK: Mrs. Elanor D. Seidler. Profession:Medical Doctor
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1935 > July > 08 > Normandie
SEIDLER, Eleanor 39 b. Jan 23 1896 Pittsburgh PA, res. 16 Plymouth St, Montclair NJ
SEIDLER, William b. July 4, 1920 Montclair NJ
SEIDLER, John 13 b. Jan 14, 1922 Montclair NJ
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1934 > July > 05 > Europa
SEIDLER, Eleanor 38 F W b. 1.23.1896 Pittsburg PA, resides Montclair NJ
SEIDLER, William 13, b. 7.4. 1920 Montclair NJ
SEIDLER, John 12 b 1.14.1922 Montclair NJ
SEIDLER, Marjory 7, b. 12.12.1926 New York NY
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U.S. Census > 1930 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Grafton > Littleton > District 31
Tilton, George H. Head M W 69 married at age 22 NH VT NH Owner, Real Estate [b abt 1861]
Tilton, Cora W. Wife F W 69 married at age 22, VT VT VT
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U.S. Census > 1900 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Grafton > Littleton > District 66
Tilton, Henry Head W M May 1828 72 married 44 yrs VT MA NY capitalist
Tilton, Caroline A. wife W F Nov 1831 68 married 44 yrs 2 ch 1 living NH MA MA
Tilton, George H. son W M Nov 1860 39 married 17 yrs NH VT NH
Tilton, Cora W. daughter in law W F Apr 1860 40 married 17 yrs 1 ch 1 living VT VT VT
Tilton, George H. Jr. grandson W M March 1891 9 single Washington [Spokane] NH Vermont
[plus several servants]
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NY Times Obituary [March 1, 1988] William Dickson Seidler, a lawyer and senior vice president of law for International Nabisco Brands Inc., died of a heart attack Sunday at Lenox Hill Hospital. He was 67 years old and lived in Manhattan. William Dickson Seidler, a lawyer and senior vice president of law for International Nabisco Brands Inc., died of a heart attack Sunday at Lenox Hill Hospital. He was 67 years old and lived in Manhattan. Mr. Seidler had been with Nabisco for more than 15 years. He had also been legal counsel for Kraft Inc. and Coats & Clark Inc. He was an alumnus of Yale and the Yale Law School. He is survived by his wife, the former Ann Ganong; two daughters, Dr. Jan Ramirez of Irvington, N.Y., and Karen Fieldsteel of Needham, Mass.; two sons, Bayard, of Montclair, N.J., and Dr. Christopher, of Providence, R. I.; a brother, John M., of Tacoma, Wash.; a sister, Marjorie Tilton of Littleton, N.H., and three grandchildren.
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Children of Victor B. & Eleanor M. (Dickson) Seidler:
1. William Dickson Seidler, b. 4 July 1920 Montclair NJ; m. 14 Aug 1848 to Ann Hobbet Ganong, dau of Professor William F. Ganong of Smith College (see wedding notice with bios, and obituary directly above).
2. +John Mitchell Seidler, b. 14 Jan 1922 in Montclair NJ
3. +Marjory/Marjorie Dickson Seidler, b. 12 Dec 1926 New York NY; m. 17 Sep 1949 to John Havemeyer Tilton, son of George H. Tilton Jr. (see wedding notice with bios above). John was born in 1925 in New York City, and was also a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Havemeyer of New York and a great-great-grandson of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry.

John Mitchell Seidler, son of Victor B. & Eleanor (Dickson) Seider was b. 14 Jan 1922 in Montclair NJ and died 19 April 1994 in Tacoma, Pierce Co. Washington. He was an investor. He married 1st) Jean Burch. They divorced by 1955. He married 2nd) 10 June 1955 to Frances Yvonne Laird (see notice below)
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JEAN BURCH BRIDE-ELECT; Brearley Graduate Affianced to John M. Seidler, Ex-Airman–October 3, 1946, Thursday–New York Times
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SEIDLER-LAIRD – 1955 New York Times
SUMMIT NJ, June 10–Miss Frances Yvonne Laird, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Laird was married here this evening to John Mitchell Seidler, son of Dr. and Mrs. Victor B. Seidler of Montclair.
The Rev. Dr. Leonard V. Buschman performed the ceremony in the Central Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Seidler graduated from Radcliffe Colege. Her husband studied at Le Rosey School, Rolle, Switzerland and graduated from the Kent School and Yale College. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
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Children of John M. & Jean (Burch) Seidler:
1. son, b. bef 1953
2. *Tor Seidler, b. 1953 in Littleton NH (see biographical info at the beginning of this article.

Marjory/Marjorie Dickson Seidler, daughter of Victor B. & Eleanor M. (Dickson) Seidler, b. 12 Dec 1926 New York NY, and 28 July 1999 in Tilton NH; She m. 17 Sep 1949 to John Havemeyer Tilton, son of George Havemeyer Tilton Jr., a Broadway playright. (see wedding notice with bios above). John was born in August 1925 in New York City, and was also a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Havemeyer of New York and a great-great-grandson of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry. They resided in Sugar Hill NH. According to his son John’s wedding announcement, he was an artist and former NH State representative.
Children of John H. & Marjory D. (Seidler) Tilton:
1. Frederick Seidler Tilton
2. John Havemeyer Tilton, Jr., m. 22 May 1982 to Constance Lelia Rogers, dau of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Allen Rogers of NH. He graduated from the Tilton School and Babson College, and attended the UNH Graduate School of business.
3. Mary Ann Tilton

**DICKSON FAMILY GENEALOGY**
(Sections of this genealogy taken directly from “A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People,” by John Newton Boucher, John Woolf Jordan; Lewis Publishing Co., 1908, Pittsburgh PA; p.13)
AND from
“Genealogy of the Dickson Family*
and from independent research.

THOMAS-1 DICKSON, son of William & Sarah (Beatty) Dickson, and grandson of Margaret (Carson) Dickson was born 10 March 1789 in Coagh, parish of Tamleicht, County Tyrone, Ireland. He died 1 February 1865 at his home on Liberty Street in Pittsburg PA, jumping from the second story of his residence during a fire. He was the first of this Dickson family to settle in the United States. His family was of Scottish origin. He emigrated from  Ireland in 30 Oct 1830 arriving in Baltimore MD and located in the Webster district of Pittsburg, PA, where he became a coal operator.
He married 14 Dec 1809 in Ireland to Mary “Maggie” Brown, daughter of John Brown. She was b. 26 May 1791 at Urble, Ireland. She died 4 Dec 1864 at Pittsburg PA. Both are buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburg PA.
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U.S. Census > 1880 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Allegheny > Pittsburgh > District 128
Dickson, Thomas M W 52 Coal Dealer Ire Ire Ire [b abt 1827]
Dickson, Maggie W F 39 wife Keeping House England England England [b abt 1841]
Dickson, Bessie W F 19 dau at home PA Ire England
Dickson, Katie W F 17 dau at school PA Ire England
Dickson, William B. W M 15 son at school PA Ire England
Dickson, Edward W M 13 son at school PA Ire England
Dickson, Walter W M 6 son PA Ire England
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Children of Thomas & Mary (Brown) Dickson: [may be more children]
1. +John Dickson, b. 21 March 1811 in Tamleicht, Tyrone Co. Ireland
2. William Brown Dickson, b. 21 May 1813, d. 23 Aug 1875; m. Mary Ann Johnson
3. Margaret Dickson, died young
4. James Bruce Dickson, b. 26 Aug 1816 in Tyrone Co. Ireland; d. 11 Feb 1887 in Indianapolis, Marion Co. Indiana; coal and lime dealer; m. 1844 in Pittsburg PA to Mary Ann Smith [one source says surname Brown]. Children include William B., Thomas M. John T., James Brown, J. Harriet, George Alexander and Eliza.
5. Robert Dickson, b. 21 Aug 1818, d. 9 Jan 1907; m. Mariana Hunker
6. Eliza Jane Dickson, b. 31 Aug 1821, d. 26 Dec 1900; m. John Sloan Stewart
7. Mary Dickson, b. 8 Aug 1823, d. 22 Dec –; m. John Steen
9. Rachael/Rachel Dickson, b. 14 Dec 1825 in Ireland, and died 17 Aug 1897 at 1005 Vickroy street in Pittsburg PA. He married John M. Blair died about 1894. He owned the first brush factory in Pittsburg. Three sons survived her, i.e. David S., Thomas D. and William B. Blair.
10. Thomas Dickson, b. 1 Oct 1827 in Ireland, M1) Sarah E. Cruthers; m2d) Margaret “Maggie” Spencer. She b. abt 1841 in England. In 1880 living in Pittsburg PA with children Bessie (19), Katie (17), William B. (15), Edward (13) and Walter (6), ch all born in PA.
11. Margaret Ann Dickson; b. 3 Nov 1829 in Pittsburg PA; m. 12 Oct 1848 to Felix Casper Negley. He b. 28 Feb 1828 in Pittsburg PA; had 12 children.
12. Hannah Dickson, b. 1831, d. 1832
13. Joseph Dickson, b 29 Oct 1833 in PA; m. Margaret “Mary” Murdock; Civil War veteran

John-2 Dickson, son of Thomas-1 the emigrant, was born 21 March 1811 in the parish of Tamleicht, county Tyrone, Ireland. He accompanied his parents to this country and attended the public schools, and after finishing his schooling he engaged in the coal business with his father. Their mines were located at Oak Hill, Swissvale, Ireland Station (now Wildwood) on the Allegheny Valley Railroad. John Dickson shipped the first car of coal ever shipped to Pittsburg over the Pennsylvania Railroad. He married 23 May 1853 Mary Ann (McConnell) Hopkins, widow of James Hopkins, and the daughter of John and Mary (Kelly) McConnell, of Donegal Ireland.  Mary Ann was born 29 Sep 1828 in parish of Blantyre, Lanarkshire Scotland. She had married 1st) 27 Nov 1848 to James Hopkins who died 23 June 1851.
John Dickson was a large property owner in Allegheny county. In politicis he was a Republican and in church relations was identified with the Swissvale Presbyterian Church. He died 4 June 1880 at Swissvale PA. He is buried in Alleghency Cemetery.
Children of John & Mary Ann (McConnell) Dickson:
1. Margaret Carson Dickson, b. 28 Feb 1854; m. George Wheeler Noss.
2. Eliza Jane Dickson, b. 13 June 1855; m. 16 June 1881 Charles May Loomis. He b. 10 Oct 1847 in Pittsburg PA and was employed at Carnegie Steel Company’s plant at Homestead. Their children were [LOOMIS]: Margerie Dickson (1882), John Neglie (1883, d. 1886); Annie Grant (1885), Elizabeth (1889); Charles Lindeman (1893); and Mary Louise (1895)
3. John Negley Dickson, b. 24 Apr 1857, d. 28 June 1883; m1) 29 Dec 1901 Mathilde M. Blazier. He m2) 14 Jan 1903 to Dora Hofmeister; had 8 children.
4. William Wallace Dickson, b. 12 Dec 1858
5. Rachel Blair Dickson, b. 23 Aug 1861, m. Robert Evans Reno. Had 6 children.
6. Robert Park Dickson, b. 19 Sep 1863 Ireland Station (now Wildwood) Allegheny Co. PA; he married 27 Oct 1866 to Jennie Dunn Longmore, dau of James Longmore of Glasgow Scotland [see more on this line]; they had 8 children
7. +William Brown Dickson, b. 6 Nov 1865
8. Annie Grant Dickson, b. 13 Aug 1867
9. Catherine Dickson, b. 23 July 1869
10. Joseph Henderson Dickson, b. 25 January 1871
11. David Dickson, b. 20 June 1874

William Brown-3 Dickson, son of John and Mary Ann (McConnell) Dickson, was born b Nov 6 1865 Pittsburgh PA and died on January 28, 1942 at his summer home “Highland Croft” in Laconia New Hampshire after a four-month illness. He was a businessman and civic leader who lived in Montclair, New Jersey.  He began working for the Carnegie Steel Company at the age of fifteen. He later became a junior partner and managing director of the company.  From 1901 to 1911 (when he resigned) he served as vice president of the United States Steel Corporation. He was chairman of the Board and Vice President of Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company in Philadelphia in 1915.  In 1917 Dickson was a member of the Board of State Prison Inspectors in New Jersey. Several of his biographies state that he was a founder of the Montclair Art Museum, however the Museum web site does not mention his name. He was a sponsor of the Llewellyn Ensemble, that met at his home in Montclair in 1917, and later played at the Montclair Art Museum. This group is considered the beginning of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.  William B. Dickson was also an abolitionist and an advocate of industrial democracy in labor-management relations. His documents and archives are located at the New Jersey Historical Society. In 1938 William B. Dickson compiled a “History of the Carnegie Veteran Association” which provided documentation of some of the men who worked for Carnegie. He married 22 Feb 1888 at Swissvale PA to Mary Bruce Dickson, dau of Thomas Bruce & Mary (McCrory) Dickson. She was born June 25, 1865 Pittsburgh PA, and died in 1944.  Between 1901-1909 he built a stone and wood lodge of the Arts and Crafts style in Laconia New Hampshire, that he called Highland Croft, and which became his summer home.The stone masons who worked on this structure also helped to build the Mount Washington hotel. [see notes in article above on this endangered building]
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Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003 > Obituary > New York, New York > 1942
Littleton, N.H. Jan 27–William B. Dickson of 58 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, N.J. who retired in 1911 as first vice president of the United Steel Corporation, died at his residence here today after a long illness. He was born in Pittsburgh seventy-six years ago.
Mr. Dickson leaves a widow, Mary B. Dickson; a son, Charles K. Dickson of New Canaan, Conn., and four daughters, Mrs. Frederick H. Taylor, Mrs. Victor B. Seidler,  and Mrs. Howard B. Ware of Verona, N.J.
Entering the employ of the Carnegie organization as a young man, Mr. Dickson became one of the forty-nine original co-partners in the formation of the carnegie Steel Company. He was one of the founders of the United States Steel Corporation in 1901 and the last of the “Carnegie men” to leave it.
When the United States entered the first World War Mr. Dickson returned to work and throughout the war period and for several years thereafter was secretary and treasurer of the Midvale Steel and Ordnance Company, engaged in the manufacture of munitions.
In his views on the relations of employers and labor Mr. Dickson was nearly a generation in advance of other leaders in the steel industry. In 1918 he wrote:
“Finding a way by which labor can be given the full recognition to which, as an equal partner, it is entitled, is the big problem that confronts American employers.”
The two principal obstacles he found to be “the reactionary employer, who sees red at the mere mention of anything pertaining to the rights of the laboring man and who should adopt as his trademark an ostrich in its proverbial attitude , and the demagogic labor leader, who, for his own selfish purposes, plays upon the ignorance, prejudice and credulity of his fellows and attempts to ignore economic laws.”
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U.S. Census > 1900 United States Federal Census > Pennsylvania > Allegheny > Pittsburgh Ward 20 > District 242
Dickson, William B. Head M W Nov 1865 34 married 12 yrs PA Ireland Scotland clerk iron & steel company [married about 1888 prob in Pittsburgh PA]
Dickson, Mary B. Wife W F June 1865 34 married 12 yrs 5 ch 4 living PA PA PA
Dickson, Susan E. daughter W F March 1889 11 single PA PA PA
Dickson, Emma Y. daughter W F Aug 1891 8 single PA PA PA
Dickson, Elenor N. daughter W F January 1896 4 single PA PA PA
Dickson, Charles K. son W M Dec 1898 1 single PA PA PA
Moriarty Mary servant W F March 1861 39 single Ire Ire Ire
Collins, Rose, servant W F Sept 1884 15 single PA Ire Ire
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1928 > April > 09 > Fort Victoria
Dickson, Mary B. 62, b. 1865 Pittsburgh PA; res. Highland Croft, Littleton NH
Dickson, Helen 21 b. 1906 Montclair NJ res Highland Croft, Littleton NH
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 > 1927 > April > 15 > Aquitania
Dickson, William B. 61 b Nov 6 1865 Pittsburgh PA res 58 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ
Dickson, Mary B. 61 F W b. June 25, 1865 Pittsburgh PA
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Children of William B. & Mary B. (Dickson) Dickson:
1. Susan Emmett Dickson, b. 17 March 1889 Pittsburg PA, and died September 1980 in Paramus, Bergen Co. NJ; She graduated from Wesley College in 1911; she m 3 Oct 1913 in Montclair NJ to Fred Hurlburt Taylor, son of Thomas H. & Juliet E. (Hurlburt) Taylor. He b. 5 June 1886 in Omaha Nebraska, and d. Feb 1983 at Seattle, King Co. Washington. They resided at Lake Valhalla Club, Montville, Morris Co NJ; Had 2 daughters, including one who married an L. Hamon.
2. +Emma Young Dickson, b. 30 Aug 1891 in Pittsburg PA; m. James Graham Carswell.
3. Thomas Bruce Dickson, b. 30 Sep 1893, d. 31 Dec 1896
4. ++Elenor/Eleanor Mitchell Dickson, b. 23 January 1896 PA; m. Dr. Victor Seidler [SEE SEIDLER GENEALOGY ABOVE]
5. Charles Keith Dickson, b. 29 Dec 1898 PA, d. Jan 1972 New Canaan CT;  res. New Canaan CT; m. Anne B. –. Stockbroker at Auchincloss Parker & Redpath NY; resided 4 Dogwood Lane, New Canaan CT
6. Helen Burd Dickson, b. 14 Jan 1907 Montclair NJ and d. 15 Nov 1993 in Verona, Essex Co NJ; who m. Howard B. Ware. He was born 27 Aug 1904, and died 13 Oct 1995 in Verona NJ. They had at least one child, Howard B. Ware Jr.

Emma Young Dickson, dau of William B. & Mary B. (Dickson) Dickson, b. 30 Aug 1891 in Pittsburg PA, and died 7 Aug 1984 in Charlottesville, VA; She worked for the Red Cross in France during World War I (an inventory of these papers can be found in the Kautz Family YMCA Archives at the University of Minnesota). She m. James Graham Carswell. He was born 10 May 1889 in NY NY, and died suddenly 13 April 1945 of a heart attack; Resided 53 Melrose Place, Montclair NJ. James was an insurance banker. In 1930 living in Montclair NJ.
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Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003 > Obituary > New York, New York > 1945
James G. Carswell Obituary, New York Times
Montclair NJ, April 13–James Graham Carswell, account executive of Johnson & Higgins, New York marine insurance firm, died here today at his home, 54 Prospect Avenue. Born in New York fifty-six years ago, Mr. Carswell had been an executive with Johnson & HIggins since 1916.
He leaves a widow Mrs. Emma Dickson Carswell; a daughter Lieut. (j.g.) Cornelia Anne Carswell of the Waves, in Los Angeles, and two sons James G. Carswell Jr. and Bruce Dickson Carswell, both of Montclair.
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Children of James Graham & Emma Young (Dickson) Carswell:
1. Bruce D. Carswell, b. 7 Nov 1920 in NJ; d. 13 Apr 2003 in Hightstown, Mercer Co NJ. He was records manager for M&T Chemicals in Rahway NJ in 1974
2. Cornelia Anne Carswell, b. 1922 in NJ; was commander of waves during WWI, U.S. Navy at California Naval Air Station (1943-1946), and commander during Korean War (1950-) in Washington DC; She graduated from Smith College; m. about 1958 to Saul I Serota, son of Samuel and Esther Serota, who was born 16 Aug 1929 in Brooklyn NY and died June 4, 2007 in VA and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Saul Serota graduated from New York University with a degree in organic chemistry, and later from Brooklyn Law School. He served in the USMC during the Korean War. He was an assistant in the US Attorney’s Office in Eastern District of NH. In 1855 he began working in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington D.C. He was appointed Examiner-in-Chief of the U.S. Patent Office in Oct 1970 by President Richard Nixon. Under President Ronald Reagan he was appointed the first Chief Just of the newly created Board of Patent Appeals. Cornelia edited her mother’s diaries. No children.
3. James G. Carswell Jr., b. 6 March 1924 in NJ; d. 3 Aug 2005 in Charlottesville, Albermarle, Virginia. He graduated from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, and the Taft School. He m. 10 May 1952 in Montclair NJ to Jean Donlan, dau of Mr. Gerald Bennett Donlan of Verona NJ. She graduated from Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art.