Starting out in life with his sole capital the heritage of a good name,
supplemented with courage to endure, strength to labor and patience to
wait, Dr. Edgar B. Dick, of Christopher, Illinois, has fought his way to
a place among the eminent medical men of his part of the state, and as a
representative of the selfmade man presents in his career an example to
the younger generation which it would do well to emulate. Dr. Dick, who
was born September 12, 1874, had the good fortune to be born of worthy
parents, his father, James F. Dick, being an early physician of Union
county, Illinois, and a native of Galloway county, Kentucky, and his
mother a member of an honorable Southern family. James Dick, his
paternal grandfather, was a son of Irish parents, and was born in
Pennsylvania, from whence he removed to Ohio and later to Kentucky,
engaging there in agricultural pursuits until his death, at the age of
eighty-five years. On the maternal side, Dr. Dick's grandfather was
David Furchase, also of Irish parentage, who was born in Kentucky and
spent his life in that state, dying at the age of ninety years. Dr.
James F. Dick was born in 1837, in Galloway county, Kentucky, and there
early took up the practice of medicine, which he followed from the time
he came to Union county, Illinois, in 1875, until his death, December 5,
1910. A well-known physician, he became influential in the ranks of the
Democratic party, and at one time was a candidate for the office of
coroner of Franklin county. His religious belief was that of the
Episcopal church, while his wife, a native of Graves county, Kentucky,
died in the faith of the Presbyterian church in 1881.
Edgar B.
Dick secured his early educational training in the common schools of
Union county, which he left at the age of seventeen years to work as a
telegrapher. After spending seven years in the employ of the Illinois
Central Railroad Company, in the meantime saving his wages carefully, he
started studying medicine, and when he had been under his father's
preceptorship for one year, entered Marion Sims Medical College, St.
Louis, and was graduated therefrom in 1896. He began the practice of his
profession in the northeastern part of Union county, where he continued
for seven years, and then came to Christopher, which has since been his
field. He has been remarkably successful in his practice, which is now
conceded to be the largest in Christopher, is ranked among the most
skillful and efficient surgeons of his county, and has earned the
respect and gratitude of his patients. A thoughtful, studious man, whose
absorption in his profession is remarkable, he is also a man of broad
outlook on life, and is thoroughly versed not only in his profession,
but also upon all matters of general interest to his community. He is a
valued member of the Franklin County and Illinois State Medical
Societies and of Goode Lodge, No. 704, A. F. & A. M. Dr. Dick has
manifested his belief in the future prosperity of Christopher by
investing in valuable real estate here, and is the owner of a fine home.
In 1892 he was married to Blanche Maude Rowan, daughter of Samuel
and Catherine Rowan, early settlers of Jackson county. Mr. Rowan, who
was an agriculturist and a veteran of the Civil war, was for some years
prominent in Republican politics, and died in 1891. Five children have
been born to Dr. and Mrs. Dick, namely: Hannau, Ohmann and Gaston, all
of whom are attending school; and Aired and Neoma Marcella, at home. The
family is conected with the Christian church.
Extracted from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, by George W. Smith, volume 2, page 821.