From: A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan

By Henry F. ThomasPublished 1907, Lewis Publishing Co.

JOHN W. DICK, whose home is one of the fine farm residences of Saugatuck township and who owns one hundred and fourteen acres of productive land, is one of the citizens that Ohio has furnished to Allegan county. He was born in Williams county, of the Buckeye state, August 28, 1851, and is a son of Peter and Barbara A. (Saltsgiver) Dick. The former was a native of Germany and emigrated to the new world at the age of twenty-five years, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania.

Prior to his marriage Peter Dick located in Richland county, Ohio, and subsequent to that important event in his life he removed to Williams county, where he resided until 1858, when he took his family to Will county, Illinois. It was there that the subject of this review was reared and educated.

At length selling out his interests in Illinois, Peter Dick went to Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. Their family numbered nine children, seven of whom reached adult age: George E., Lydia C., John W., Lewis D., Ross T., Michael and William. The last named is now deceased.

John W. Dick was reared to farm life, the days of his boyhood and youth being passed in a manner similar to that of most lads of the locality and period. He has never had desire to change his occupation, but has always followed farming, which George Washington said "Is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man."

On March 12, 1874, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dick and Miss Lorettie F. Walker, who was born in Michigan October 3, 1850, a daughter of J. Walker. In 1877 Mr. Dick removed with his little family from Illinois to Allegan county, Michigan, where he has since made his home. Here he purchased one hundred and fifty-four acres of land, which was then in its natural state, but he has since placed thereon the improvements necessary to make a fine and profitable farm. His land is devoted to the production of grain and fruit. He formerly had seventy-five acres, planted to peaches and the remainder of the farm was utilized for the growing of apples and pears, but he is now replacing his peach trees with other farm products, for certain diseases are prevalent in the peach orchards, and he claims, with reason, that it is necessary to give the land a rest in order to get rid of the disease. In 1895 he replaced his frame house with a fine brick residence, erected at a cost of four thousand dollars.

It is a beautiful and comfortable dwelling, tastefully furnished, and one of its chief charms is its cordial hospitality, which is extended to the many friends of the family. Mr. Dick is an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and as every public-spirited citizen should do, feels an interest in the political situation of the country. He has served his township in the capacity of highway commissioner and was also moderator of the school board for nine years. He holds membership in the Douglas Congregational church, of which he is a deacon and also a trustee.