Levi Dick Biographical Review

LEVI DICK, one of the most prominent citizens of this section, was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, February 17, 1815, son of Peter and Christina (Shutt) Dick. Peter Dick was born in one of the Carolinas, and reared to farm life. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1829, bringing his wife and eight children all the way from Simpson county, Kentucky, where he had settled at a very early day. The journey lasted about twenty-two days, and they settled in Sangamon county, where they raised one crop, and then, in the winter of 1831, removed to near the present home of our subject, buying 160 acres of partly improved land, nine or ten acres being broken, and a small log house erected on the land. In this cabin they lived for two years, until Peter rebuilt it, and in the remodeled house this esteemed gentleman ended his days, aged seventy years. His wife was born in the same county as himself, and died on the old farm, aged sixty-eight. These two had eight children, five yet living. Peter Dick was a son of John and ____ Dick, also natives of one of the Carolinas, who died in Kentucky, when very old. Subject’s mother was a daughter of Henry and Polly Shutt, natives of Germany, who came to Illinois at an early day, dying here when very old. The entire family, on both sides, pursued farming to a great extent. Peter Dick and wife were very poor when they came to Illinois, and so were unable to provide for their children, who were forced to take care of themselves. Our subject was no exception to this rule, and everything he has was earned by himself. He remained on the farm, working with his father until his marriage. His education was received at the district and subscription schools. After his marriage, Mr. Dick settled in a log cabin, about 18×20, in which he lived until 1852, when he moved into his present fine house. The fine home and farm now owned by Mr. Dick presents a great contrast to the wild prairie found by his father and mother when they came to this region in search of fortunes. Wild deer and game of many kinds abounded. Mr. Dick is inclined to think, however, that pioneer life had its pleasures as well as trials, as he says that the people were much more sociable in those days than now. Mr. Dick was married the first time to Emmatiah Leeper, in 1839. This lady was born in Kentucky, and was a daughter of Robert and Mary Leeper. Mrs. Dick died on the farm where he now lives, aged about thirty-five years; by this wife he had nine children, three now living, namely: Amos, married to Matilda Armstrong, two children; Robert L. married Amanda Sutton, three children; Martha A. married Alonzo Sutton, five children. Mr. Dick was married a second time to Mary Morgan, born in Kentucky, died on the old home farm, aged fifty-three. She bore him two children, Eliza C. and George L., the latter now in Oregon. The former married N. B. Orr, of Delaware county, Iowa, born in 1856, son of Thomas and Caroline Orr, and they have three children. Mr. Dick’s fine farm of 300 acres is managed by his son-in-law, Mr. Orr, who carries on a mixed farming, and waving fields of grain now occupy the prairie where, half a century ago, deer were found in flocks of seventy-five. Mr. Dick, like his father before him, is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. Mr. Dick and his father helped build the first church and schoolhouse in the section, and has taken a deep interest in church and school matters ever since. He and his family are all church attendants and worthy, good people.