Isaac W. Dillingham, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Isaac W. Dillingham
ISAAC W. DILLINGHAM, who has large farming interests in Porter county, Indiana, is a native son of this county and a scion of one of its sterling pioneer families, one that was established here just three-quarters of a century ago, or in 1837. In the locality of his nativity Mr. Dillingham has passed practically his whole life, which has been so ordered as to command for him the respect and esteem of those who know him and to make his name well known as one of the most successful agriculturists of Porter county.
His forebears were Welsh, a nationality well known as a people of acumen and tireless energy, staid and thrifty. Born in Porter county, Indiana, January 18, 1860, he is a son of Olcott Dillingham, and a grandson of John Dillingham, both remembered as sterling pioneers of Porter county. John Dillingham was a native of Wales but when entering young manhood decided to seek his fortune in a newer country and immigrated to the United States to push his own way alone. He had been reared to farm life and took up that occupation in Ohio soon after coming to this country. There he was married and there his son, Olcott, was born in 1827. Ten years later, or in 1837, the family removed from Ohio to Porter county, Indiana, where both the grandparents and the father of our subject spent the remainder of their lives, the latter having passed away on February 21, 1904, well advanced in years. Olcott Dillingham wedded Miss Hannah Hale, and to their union were born four children, all of whom are living. They are: Daniel H. Dillingham, of Canton, Mississippi; Carrie E., the wife of L. D. Wolfe, of Valparaiso, Indiana; Isaac W., the subject of this review; and Luella E., now Mrs. Joseph Mead. Hannah (Hale) Dillingham survived her husband until April 29, 1910, when she too, passed away full of years.
Isaac W. Dillingham remained at the paternal home until his marriage in Valparaiso, Indiana, on April 21, 1879, to Patience E. Proseus. The young people began life together in Porter county and on the farm which has since remained their home with the exception of one year spent in Chicago. Mr. Dillingham owns 450 acres of fine land in sections 29, 30 and 31 of Liberty township and ranks as one of the most successful farmers of the county. Splendid business acumen and a progressive spirit have been very evident in Mr. Dillingham's career as an agriculturist and he has thereby very materially assisted in advancing the basic branch of the industrial life of Porter county. Mrs. Dillingham is also a native of Indiana and is a daughter of Leonard and Marcia V. (Mason) Proseus. Leonard Proseus, who was born in Wayne county, New York, was a son of George L. Proseus, whose place of nativity was Pennsylvania and who was of Pennsylvania German descent. He came to Indiana in 1856 and in this state was married to Marcia V. Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Dillingham are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living, viz: Mabel E., the wife of Arthur A. Hanrahan, a farmer in Liberty township, Porter county; Pearl K, now Mrs. Charles W. Phares; Edith H., the wife of A. O. Lutes, of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; Myron O., a resident of Liberty township, Porter county; Warren L.; Grace L.; Faye and Mildred H., all of whom are at home. Delos C., the youngest son, died on the 20th of March, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Dillingham firmly believe in the efficiency of a good education, as will be seen by their efforts to provide their children with the advantages for such acquirement. Their daughters, Edith, Pearl and Grace, are all graduates of the Valparaiso high school, and Mildred and Faye are now students in the same high school. In political views Mr. Dillingham is a Republican, and as a citizen he is a man of the highest worth and integrity and public spirit, who while acquiring a substantial personal success has at the same time co-operated in advancing the prosperity and welfare of his community. Such are the men who forward the prestige of Porter county.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 697-698
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook