The ABCs of Lowell History is back for another round. This popular series explores a wide variety of topics in Lowell area history in weekly online articles.
D is for Darwin Dickson
Darwin Dickson was born on his family’s farm in Vergennes Township, on the northeast side of today’s Vergennes and Cumberland intersection, on August 3, 1895.
Darwin was the third generation of the Dickson family in Lowell. He was the son of Phillip and Blanche Gott Dickson. His grandparents were Edward and Harriet Ball Dickson. Harriet was the daughter of Jarred and Mary Loge Ball.
Darwin grew up in Lowell and moved to Twin Falls County Idaho and was working on a dairy farm when the World War I broke out. Darwin became one of thousands who served in this war. He left on July 22, 1918, from Brooklyn NY headed for Europe on the ship Nevasa. He served as a Private in Co I. of the 337th Infantry.
A few months later, Darwin died of pneumonia at the military hospital in Sancerre France on October 5, 1918, and was buried there in the city cemetery.
On January 6, 1921 the Lowell Ledger announced that Dickson was the first of the boys who died during the war to be brought home for burial. Dickson was disinterred on 11-5-1920 for preparation and shipment. His remains arrived at the port at St. Nazaire France on November 8, 1920. From there he was shipped to Hoboken, New Jersey, arriving on December 15, 1920. From there the remains were shipped on January 3, 1921, to Phillip Dickson, Lowell MI, and received at Lowell on January 4, 1921, by O.J. Yeiter, the undertaker.
The funeral ceremony was scheduled for Friday, January 7, 1921. Walter Kropf, Commander of the Charles W. Clark Post No. 152 of the American Legion declared that “every honor and respect that can be conferred should be executed at this time.”
Services were held at City Hall with the Rev. E.R. Cochrun officiating. All Lowell businesses closed for the funeral and all flags were at half-mast. The body and mourners were escorted to City Hall by the American Legion members all in uniform. A large audience was present, including several veterans of the Civil War. The music was furnished by Orrin Sterkins and Mrs. Clarence Speaker, with R. D. Stocking on the piano. As the procession passed the High School building, the entire student body, from the fourth grade up, numbering several hundred, was lined up in front, stretching for blocks and standing at attention. It was described as “a beautiful tribute and a splendid token of loyalty.” He was laid to rest at Oakwood cemetery with military honors.
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