Mr. Dickinson came naturally into prominence in connection with the great political movements and problems of the country and in 1876 was chosen chairman of the democratic state central committee of Michigan. In 1880 he became a member of the democratic national committee, so continuing until 1885, and his recognized prominence as a democratic leader was manifest in his appointment by President Cleveland to the position of postmaster general in 1887. He remained a member of the cabinet fur two years. He was also chairman of the democratic national campaign committee of 1892 and in 1893 he was tendered but declined a cabinet position. In 1896 he was made senior counsel of the United States before the international high commission on Behring sea claims, under the fur seal arbitration, his duties in that connection claiming his attention for two years. He was also made a member of the court of arbitration to adjust the controversy between the United States and the republic of San Salvador in 1902, for through the administration* of Presidents Cleveland, McKinley and Roosevelt he was the senior counsel of the United States, and he was democratic national chairman in promoting the interests of President Cleveland for a third term.

(Photo from Bill McKern at Find-A-grave) On the 15th of June, 1869, General Dickinson was married to Miss Frances L. Platt, daughter of Mr. Alonzo Platt of Michigan, and they became the parents of a daughter and a son: Frances C. now the wife of George H. Barbour, Jr., and Don McDonald, Jr., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. General Dickinson remained throughout his life an active factor in law practice and in shaping public thought and action. His labors were long a contributing factor in guiding tho destinies of the nation and be was regarded as the peer of the ablest representatives of international law of the United States, His cooperation was also sought in connection with many interests of local importance. The welfare and progress of Detroit was always a matter of deep interest and concern to him and he served as one of the trustees and president of the Detroit Museum of Art, was also vice president of the Jefferson Memorial Association and president of the Senator McMillan Memorial Association. He held membership in the Detroit Board of Commerce and was a director of the first National Bank. At one time he was tho president of the Detroit Bar Association, held membership in the Michigan State Bar Association and the American Bar Association and he belonged as well to the American Historical Association and to the Chi Psi, a college fraternity. In club circles, too, he was widely known, having membership with the Pilgrims of London, the Manhattan, National Democratic and the Pilgrims of New York, the Huron Mountain Club of Chicago, the Detroit Club, of which he was at one time president, and also with the Bankers, Detroit Boat, University and Country Clubs, all of Detroit. He constantly labored for the right as he saw it and from his earliest youth devoted a large portion of his time to the service of others, and in the course of years, as a consequence of his developing powers, that service was demanded for the benefit of the nation. He was not an idle sentimentalist but a worker who possessed a statesman's grasp of affairs and whose knowledge of international law enabled him to find acceptable solution for many intricate and involved public problems. His family and friends can rejoice in his memory as that of a man who used wisely and well the talents with which nature endowed him and who laid down his tasks in the twilight of the day when all that he had to do had been nobly and fully completed.

Transcribed and contributed by Christine Walters
The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922; By Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller

Donald Dickinson is buried at Elmwood Cemetery Detroit MI

On the 3d of January, 1914, Mr. Dickinson was married to Rowena Hunt Croul, daughter of William Rochester and Eloise P. (Hunt) Croul. They have a daughter, Eloise Hunt, born March 14, 1916, and a son, Don M., (III), who was born February 8, 1920. The religious faith of tho family is that of the Episcopal church and in political belief Mr. Dickinson is a democrat. He belongs to the Real Estate Board and is a prominent representative of real estate activity in Detroit. He also has membership in the Detroit Athletic Club and his position is one of social prominence.

Transcribed and contributed by Christine Walters
The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922; By Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, Gordon K. Miller

After he had completed his education Horace H. Dickinson, Jr., became a salesman for Edson, Moore and Company, and was with them for five years. He then joined the Royal Garment Company as a salesman and continued with that house for three years, after which he became associated with his father and brothers in the organization and conduct of the H. H. Dickinson Company. He has been treasurer of this corporation since 1913. The business has steadily grown and developed, the firm handling all kinds of building material, and their patronage is today one of very extensive proportions.

Horace H. Dickinson was united in marriage to Miss Alice Lucile Harrigan of Fulton, New York, and they are well known in the city where the Dickinson family has figured prominently for almost a century. Mr. Dickinson is a thirty second degree Mason, belonging to Corinthian Lodge. P. & A. M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory; Moslem Temple of the Mystic Shrine; also Detroit Lodge, No, 31, B. P, O. K., and the Detroit Yacht Club. He is also a member of the Masonic Country Club, and is an Episcopalian religious faith, with membership in Trinity church, he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and he retains a very warm interest in the Central high school, having been the treasurer of its alumni association for seven years. Those things which make for the pleasure and the progress of life are of interest to him, and progress with him means not only the advancement of his individual business affairs but also the development and up building of all those forces which make for the betterment of the city and the advancement of its civic standards.