DICKERMAN, ALBERT (1840 - 1917)
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Davis' Commercial Encyclopedia of the Pacific SouthwestJudge Albert Dickerman
Veteran of the Civil War, Attorney-at-Law, Watsonville, Cal., has for the past two decades upheld the dignity of the Bar in the Pajaro metropolis. he has had a long and interesting career and our sketch, usually brief, cannot be closed without a brief summary of the principal events of his long and active life.
Judge Dickerman was born in Delaware County, New York, 1840 where he received his early education and spent his early boyhood. He moved to Ohio when 17 years old. Shortly after reaching his majority the Great Rebellion broke out and demanded the services of all brave and able-bodied men. Answering his country's call he enlisted and was mustered into the 105th Ohio Infantry, September 1, 1862. He entered the army as a musician but was rapidly advanced; serving as Sergeant Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and later Adjutant of the regiment. He fought through the remainder of the war and was on the firing line in the battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. he marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea and thence to Washington. he fought in many other minor engagements and was mustered out in June 1865.
After the close of the war he decided upon a legal career, studied law in the Union Law College of Cleveland, Ohio, and was admitted to the Bar in 1866, after which he moved to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he followed his practice for sixteen years. He served one term as Probate Judge, and one term in the State Senate. From Hillsdale he moved to Muskegon, where he continued his practice for eleven years, serving in the interim one term of six years as Circuit Judge.
In 1894, answering the lure of the West, he came to California and located in Watsonville, where he has ever since continued to practice, and where he has attained a large circle of friends.
Judge Dickerman is a quiet affable man, long past the age when most men have shifted the burdens to younger shoulders, but he keeps steadfastly at the front, active in mind and body and prepared to serve his clients if need be for another decade.
Judge Dickerman is a member of the G.A.R. (p. 443)
Watsonville Pajaronian (1917)
A. Dickerman Enters Last Slumber
Albert Dickerman, the well known attorney and Civil War veteran, died at his home on East Third street yesterday afternoon after a comparatively brief illness, his death coming after the Pajaronian had been issued.
He had been failing for the past few months but up to a few days ago had been able to walk to and from his office.
A first class account of his life is contained in the "Dickerman Ancestry," a history complied by a member of his family, and "The Story of the Thousand," both books being in Judge Dickerman's library. The account is as follows:
Albert Dickerman was born March 26, 1840, at Masonville, Delaware County, New York, and was a descendant of Thomas Dickerman who came to America from England in 1635. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. His father was Nathaniel Dickerman, and his mother was Mary Ann Ferry Dickerman. Mr. Dickerman was reared on a farm among the hills of Delaware County. His father having died when he was five years of age he assisted his mother, brothers and sisters in obtaining a livelihood, attended the district school until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he attended an academy for two terms.
At the age of seventeen he moved with his people to Cleveland, Ohio. From that time until he went into the army he was studying and teaching, a part of the time in Ohio and Missouri, where he was when the war broke out and he witnessed a good deal of feeling and excitement.
In July, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. "E- 105th Regiment of Ohio Infantry. On reaching camp he was appointed sergeant major, after about four months second lieutenant, in which capacity he served until the close of the war, twice declining captains' commission. His regiment was in the Fourteenth Army Corps under General Thomas and later under Sherman, participating in the movements of that corps through Kentucky and Tennessee; in the Atlanta campaign; the March to the Sea; through the Carolinas to Goldsboro; to Raleigh, Richmond and Washington and taking part in the Grand Review. The regiment was mustered out and disbanded in June 1865.
After he was mustered out he studied law at Union College in Cleveland, and was admitted to practice in June, 1866. In August of that year he located at Hillsdale, Michigan. While living there he served for three years as Director of Public Schools, for four years as Probate Judge, and represented the county in the state Senate, during 1881 and 1882 practicing profession in the meantime.
In the spring of 1882 he moved to Muskegon, Michigan. There he served in that capacity for six years. At the close of his term he declined to be a candidate for re-election and in 1894 moved to Watsonville.
After his arrival in Watsonville Mr. Dickerman began the practice of law and was associated for a time with H.A. von C Torchiana, now in San Francisco. He was successful in the law and was known in this city as a man of high ideals, of fertile intellect and of Christian character. He was a prominent member of the R.L. McCook Post G.A.R., of this city and was respected and esteemed by all that knew him. Judge Dickerman was one of this community's most estimable citizens and his death will be mourned by all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife, who resides here; a daughter, Mrs. Marcus Snow of Muskegon, Mich., a granddaughter, Miss Marcia Snow and a sister, Mrs. Charles E. Palmer of Fostoria, New York.
The funeral will be held from the family residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock with interment in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
They Were Comrades Together In Civil War
Judge Lucas F. Smith of this city deeply regrets the passing from the stage of action of Judge Dickerman of Watsonville, as both men were comrades together throughout the Civil War, serving in the same brigade, same division and same army corps, the Fourteenth. Dickerman was a member of the 105th Ohio regiment and Smith a member of the 101st Indiana regiment. Their three years of comradeship throughout some of the fiercest battles of the war made them the closest of friends.
Both served together in the battle of Perryville, Ky., in 1862, when Dickerman's regiment lost half of its men. In this battle General Jackson was killed, also Gen Terrill, the brigade commander. Col. Webster was put in command of the brigade and was desperately wounded. Col. Hall of Dickerman's brigade was then made commander. The two comrades fought in the battle of Stone River in December, 1862. In the spring of 1863 they marched to Chickamauga, where they fought that battle on September 18, 19,20. They went through the battle of Lookout Mountain, Grand and Sherman now being in command. In the spring of 1864 the regiments of both men started on the Atlantic campaign, and participated in all of the battles to Atlanta. They fought in the battle of Jonesborough and then marched with Sherman to the sea. They were at the battle of Savannah, then came back through the Carolinas with Sherman when Gen Lee surrendered. The army in which they served then marched to Washington, arriving in time for the grand review in May 1865.
It was here that Smith and Dickerman separated. They did not see each other again until the two, then practicing attorneys, met in the local courthouse. Dickerman had come to Watsonville, where he located in 1894, and neither knew that the other was in this part of the country.
"You can say for me," said Judge Smith, "that Judge Dickerman was one of the bravest young soldiers and most patriotic citizens that ever lived on earth.
Judge Smith will attend the funeral of his comrade in Watsonville this afternoon.
Date of Birth: 1840-03-26
Date of Death: 1917-02-02
County: Santa Cruz
Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz County
Plot: N/L
Mortuary: A&N
Cause of Death: Hrt/Related
Spouse: (Dickerman) Elizabeth
Occupation: Judge
Religion: Pr
Height: 5'9
Local Address: 3rd St. 100
Last City: Watsonville
Native of: NY
Father Native of: Thomas (EN)
Mother Native of: (EN)
Enlisted: 1862/07/28
Discharged: 1865/06/03
Military Unit: OH_ 105 Inf_ Co B
Rank: Lt1
Military Notes: R_E-N/L_ M/O-Wshngtn DC
GAR#: M26
Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records
CW Reference: RLM 1908 Roster