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farm and his first schooling obtained at
the country district school, later attend-
ing Mrs. Henry G. Dickerman's private
school in Mt. Carmel. His eagerness for
knowledge took him to high school in
New Haven where his aptitude for learning
and rapid grasp of subjects enabled
him to gain this education while going
back and forth from his home in the
country and helping on the farm. On
account of the early death of his father
he was obliged to give up his studies and
go to work. For a short time he taught
school. He also worked in the country
store of Joseph Pierpont in North Haven
village for a while.
About November, 1882, Mr. Dickerman
became established with the firm of
Morgan & Humiston in New Haven,
dealers in sash, doors and blinds. He
first started as a bookkeeper but rapidly
assumed more responsibility and in April,
1885, the business was incorporated with
Fred'k J. Morgan as president, Wm. E.
Dickerman, secretary and treasurer, and
Oswin W. Humiston, superintendent, each
owning one-third of the stock. Mr.
Humiston resigned after a year or two
and Mr. David F. Wiser came in as secretary
shortly afterward, the company how-
ever retaining the same name it was in-
corporated under which it carries to this
day. This business was established in
1870 as Bowman & Company and changed
hands a number of times but never grew
very rapidly until Mr. Dickerman became
associated with it. Then however, through
his hard work, likeable personality and
square dealing, it increased so fast that
in less than ten years they were doing
most of the business in town in their line.
It was then located at Nos. 142-144 State
Street but needing larger quarters, in 1900
they erected their own spacious building
at Nos. 30-42 Prout Street, where it has
been ever since.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Although most of the time from eight
o'clock or earlier in the morning until ten
o'clock at night was spent at his business
in New Haven he kept himself in good
physical condition by arising at six every
week-day morning and working in the
garden or about the grounds of his home
148
in North Haven. He never retired before
eleven or twelve o'clock and seemed to
get along satisfactorily with about six
hours sleep six days a week, observing the
Sabbath religiously as a day of rest as
his forefathers had done for two hundred
and fifty years. In spite of his close application
to his business he found time
to participate in public affairs in which he
was always interested. He was well
known by most of the residents of his
native town and his kindliness and good
will made everybody his friend. A test
of his popularity was made on two dif-
ferent occasions. The first time was in
1896 when he decisively defeated the foremost
politician of the town for the office
of chairman of the Republican Town
Committee, and the second in 1900 when
he overwhelmed the wealthiest man and
greatest landholder in the vicinity for the
nomination of Representative to the State
Legislature. Practically every living voter
in the town came out for this caucus, the
like of which had never before been seen.
His exceptional ability was recognized in
the Legislature by his appointment as
clerk of the important Committee of Fi-
nance. His insight into the log-rolling
methods of politics dampened much of
his ardor for public affairs so that with
the demands of his continually increasing
business he gave up active participation
in politics although he was continually
consulted regarding town affairs, and
acted as Registrar of voters during 1903
and 1904.
He was a member of Hiram Lodge of
Masons in New Haven, an active com-