Peter Dickman - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Not many of the veterans of the Bishop Post had the varied military career of Peter Dickman.  

Peter grew up in Tiffin Township with his parents, William and Rebecca Dickman.  By the age of 18, he was apprenticed to John Dow, learning the blacksmith trade in Brunersburg.  He was living with the Dow family, according to the 1860 census.

When the Civil War began, Peter enlisted right away in Company E, 111th Infantry along with many other local men.  On March 29, 1863, he transferred to the Mississippi Marine Brigade.  Despite its name, this was a special Union company, formed in the south and originally overseen by the Navy.

The job of the company was to use ironclad, ram boats to patrol the Mississippi for Confederates and engage them in battle. They skirmished on land and created chaos for the Rebs whenever they could.  Eventually, they only reported directly to Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton. The brigade's leaders, the Ellerts, seemed to lead the men into some controversial actions.  Read more about the Brigade here  and here. Peter served in this unit until he mustered out on January 18, 1865.

Both the Ohio and Mississippi units are mentioned on his pension card.

Just a few months after his discharge, he married Margaret Southworth (Sughsworth, Suchworth) on April 13, 1865.  He and Margaret settled in Defiance where the census enumerator found him working as a blacksmith in 1870.  

By 1880, Peter Dickman was a successful businessmen, a wagon manufacturer.

His family had grown to include three children: Adaline, Wallace, and Rosa Olive.  In February, 1883, Peter received a patent for a device to attach to a wagon, the Dickman Patent Rub Iron, which was then manufactured by the Defiance Machine Works.

Peter continued to use his blacksmithing skills into his older age and son, Wallace, followed in his footsteps.  By 1910, when Peter was 69, he reported to the census taker that he worked at a blacksmith in his son's shop.

Peter Dickman died July 25, 1910 and he was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Defiance.

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)

Henry and Mary Christina (Redker) Deepe

From the Marckel Scrapbook... (no date, no source given for article in the scrapbook, but we know it appeared in a Defiance paper in 1915 as noted in the obituary itself.)

MRS. MARY CHRISTINA 

(REDKER) DEEPE

"This devoted woman and friend of humanity crossed the Great Divide April 28th, at her home in this city, surrounded by her husband, children, and many friends.  Thus, a beautiful and saintly life sped on its way to the Eternal World and was crowned gloriously in the kingdom of God - which is the kingdom of grace and glory!

Mary Christina Deepe - Ancestry Public Tree

Mother Deepe was born in Prussia, Germany, October 21st, 1839, and lived to the good age of 75 years, 6 months and 7 days.  In all these years, she was known for her amiable qualities and strikingly religious nature.  She came to America in 1840, and settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., later removed to Defiance county, making her home in Tiffin township.  Here she grew to beautiful womanhood surrounded by a host of friends and neighbors who appreciated her womanly spirit and her devotion to the right.

Henry Deepe - Ancestry Public Tree

November 8th, 1855, she was happily married to Mr. Henry Deepe, who survives in fairly good health and is highly honored and beloved by all who know him.  This faithful couple lived joyously together these many years, being a strength, a joy and blessing to each other all along life's way.

Of this union, 12 children came to gladden and bring untold blessing and honor in the home.  One of these children died in infancy; the oldest son, John W., passed to the better land seven years ago.  The others are living and their names are as follows:

Mrs. Wilbur Rummell of Defiance; Mrs. John McComb, Defiance; Mrs. Edward Clay of Ft. Wayne; Mrs. S. W. Burk, Bryan; Mrs. Emory Elliott, Independence; Mrs. F. Goller, Bryan; Mrs. Wallace Dickman, Defiance; Wm. Deepe, Tiffin township; Curtis Deepe, Clinton, Mich.; and Chauncey Deepe, Defiance.  A remarkable family, not only in number, but in good citizenship and honor to the father and mother and of blessing to the communities in which they live.

This now sainted Mother was converted at the early age of 14 and joined the German Methodist Episcopal church, in which church, she was for many years a faithful and devoted member.  Later, following her marriage in 1856, she united with the United Brethern church of which her husband was a member, he having joined that church in 1854.

Mother Deepe possessed a deep religious nature and was faithful to all the interests of the church and the cause of her master.  A quiet disposition, thoroughly devoted to all the interests of the family and was a friend indeed to those in sickness and affliction of any kind.  She, with her husband, brought up and early trained all the children of the household in the way of righteousness.  In this, this worthy couple set a fine example to all around them and not only made for their own children's religious growth and development, but indirectly, helped all others in the neighborhood to a large development f the Christian life.  All parents ought to realize the infinite good and the joy of doing this kind of service and how much better it would be for the children of the present generation if all parents were thus incited.

The children of Mother Deepe living today reflect the noble grace, dignity and faithful righteousness of their now sainted Mother.  They are a joy and support to the Father in this hour of trial and separation.

Three sisters of Mother Deepe are permitted to be present at this service.  There are 32 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren living.  All of these have a noble ancestry and it is for each one to become worthy of such honorable and worthy ancestors.

This good woman's last illness was severe and in many ways, she felt that that the end of this life would bring a relief from the severe sickness and suffering  she was compelled to endure.  Yet she did not complain and was glad indeed to live for her loved ones and her Christ until in God's own time, he would say, 'It is enough - Come up higher!'

A paralytic stroke hastened her homecoming and in the evening time at half past ten, her loving spirt took its flight to the Eternal realms where  --, the Angels and her Christ and all the redeemed are housed forever in eternal love and glory!

The funeral services were conducted by Dr. Price Alexander Crow of St. Paul's M. E. Church, Defiance, and the Rev. Wm. Clark of Stryker, O., District Supt. ofthe North Ohio Conference of the U. B. church, a long time pastor of the family.  The services were held at the home in North Defiance and was attended by hundreds of loved ones, friends and neighbors, Saturday afternoon, May 1st, 1915.  Her precious body was laid to rest in the Webb cemetery whence it awaits the Resurrection morn.  She sleeps beautiful in God's aura."

AN ADDITION FROM THE DEFIANCE DEMOCRAT, SEPT. 6, 1907, P. 2

Members of the Deepe family gathered together for a reunion on Thursday, August 2 in Gares' Grove.   An account of that reunion with photo -