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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Henry M. DIKEMAN 

[Surnames: ARMSTRONG, DIKEMAN, HARDING, HART, TUTTLE] 

DIKEMAN, HENRY M.

    
One of the oldest citizens of Fulton Co., both in longevity and length of residence and formerly one of the county's most energetic and successful farmers, who is now passing his declining years in the retirement of private life was born in Oswego Co., NY Feb 19, 1828. He is a son of Gilson and Parmel (TUTTLE) Dikeman, also native of the Empire State. The father settled in Fulton County in 1844, making the journey by wagon and consuming a month and two days reaching his destination. he located in Fairview Twp., where he purchased a tract of eight acres of farming land which he broke up and improved, his dwelling a log cabin built by himself. He hauled his grain to Peoria, Copperas Creek and different points, where he also marketed his stock and other products of the farm. There he spent the remainder of a busy life, successfully engaged in his wonted occupation. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom but one, Henry M. survives. 
    
In boyhood Henry M. Dikeman attended the public schools of New York and Illinois while obtaining his education, walking daily two miles to a log schoolhouse in Fairview Twp. Until he was twenty-one years old he assisted his father on the home place, at which period he commenced farming for himself without a dollar of capital. He was very successful in his labors and in 1866 bought the homestead property on which he made some improvements. He also purchased 100 acres adjoining it, and at one time was the owner of 500 acres. 
    
He followed general farming and raised cattle and hogs, shipping his product to Chicago and Peoria. He still has 200 acres which he rents, having bought a house which has since been his home. His property also includes several other pieces of town property. 
    
On the 28th of Nov. 1855, in Lewistown, Mr. Dikeman was united in marriage with Jeannette HARDING, a daughter of John and Caroline (ARMSTRONG) Harding, who was born in New York State. Her family moved from the East to Fulton Co. about the year 1852.
Three children blessed this union, namely:
Dexter, William and Clara (Mrs. HART). 
    
In religious belief the family are Methodists. 
    
Politically Mr. Dikeman is a Republican, has served his township as Road Commissioner and held the office of School Director for eleven years. In his long-extended career in Fulton Co. Mr. Dikeman has discharged his duties as an individual and as a citizen with unvarying fidelity. He has been identified with all movements tending to promote the best interests of his locality, and has made an irreproachable record as a man of strict probity and pure motives. By his old neighbors and his fellow townsmen in Farmington he is regarded with the utmost respect and esteem.