ALEXANDER DICK

The dry goods business in Wiles-Barre, Pennsylvania, of which one of the founders was the late Alexander DICK, boasted in him the champion all-round athlete of America in the amateur class, which title he retained for three years. The establishment, of which he was one of the heads, has now become the headquarters of a chain of eight stores which are run on the department plan, the one in Wilkes-Barre being the largest department store in that city. The firm of Fowler, DICK & Walker continues to honor the memory of Mr. DICK by retaining his name in the style under which it has operated for forty-six years.

Alexander DICK, born November 16, 1851, in Dundee, Scotland, died September 11, 1906, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Janette (EDWARDS) DICK. His father was the general overseer of a large estate in Scotland. He was only privileged to obtain a meagre education, attending the public schools of his native city until he was twelve years old. At that age he bound himself as an apprentice in the dry goods business of a firm in Dundee, making most excellent use of his opportunity to familiarize himself with the trade. Like so many young men of his country who have become important figures in the dry goods business in the United States, he sailed from Scotland for his country at the age of eighteen years. His destination was Hartford, Connecticut, where he obtained employment as a clerk in a dry goods store, remaining in that position for ten years, during which time he absorbed the American idea of carrying on the dry goods business. During his stay in Hartford he added to his income by teaching classes in physical culture. He was one of those thrifty Scotsmen who have an eye to the future and save something out of their wages against a day when they may better their circumstances. So in 1879, at the age of twenty-eight years, he is found in the thriving city of Wilkes-Barre, with his savings invested in a dry goods business there in association with Messrs, Fowler & Walker. As showing the remarkable progress made by Mr. DICK in his business relations, he was elected president of the Wilkes-Barre store of Fowler, DICK & Walker. Under his executive management the store increased its good-will many folds, and ere long became the most important establishment of its kind in the city of Wiles_barre. Mr. DICK's personal popularity ran eqully high with that of the store. He was an ardent and accomplished athlete, being exceedingly fond of the majority of outdoor manly sports. He was endowed with great strength, and acquired a skill in the performance of his many feats that was the marvel of the amateur athletic world in America. His name and fame were broadcast over the country as he won contest upon contest and broke record after record, until he attained the pinnacle of fame in the athlete's realm when he was proclaimed America's all round amateur champion. For three successive years he held the coveted crown and bore his honors with characteristic modesty. As might be expected of a man of his physical and mental equipment, he was active in his business affairs until his death at the age of fifty-three years.

Mr. DICK was prominently identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, and was a member of the Scottish Rite, thrity-second degree. He was actively engaged in religious work, his membership being in the First Prebyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre.

Mr. Dick married, May 28, 1889, Mignonette N. WADDELL, of Kingston, Pennsylvania, daughter of James and Marie (WILLIAMS) WADDELL. Her father, born April 12, 1834, died in 1907, served as a captain in the Civil War, having come from his native Scotlan at the age of eighteen years. He was a coal operator in this section of Pennsylvania until his death. Her mother, born in 1844, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, died in 1921. Mrs. DICK is actively engaged in club work and in hospital work. She is treasurer of the Nesbitt Westside Hospital, having held this position since the original member now serving on its board. She is a member of the Wyoming Valley Women's Club, and on its house committee, and a member of the Westside Women's Club. To Alexander and Mignonette N. (WADDELL) DICK were born four children: I. Alexander Waddell, general manager of the Fowler, DICK & Walker store in Wilkes-Barre. 2. Helen, who married Daniel Edwards NEWELL, of Kingston. 3. Mignonette Williams, who married Dwight K. FISHER, of Kingston. 4. Gilbert Walker, a member of the staff of R. G. Dun & Company, New York City.

This was taken from Pennsylvania A History Biographical, by Geprge P. Donehoo & Thomas L. Montgomery.