From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 265-266.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN R. DICKEY

A valuable citizen of Wheeling during the early period of its history 
as a city, was John R. Dickey, who was one of the founders and 
cashier of the People's bank, an elder of the First United 
Presbyterian church.  He was a son of John Dickey, a native of county 
Antrim, Ireland, born February 16, 1771, who came to the United 
States, arriving June 26, 1792.  He was accompanied by his wife, 
Margaret Andrews, who was born in Ireland, December 4, 1769, and they 
made their home near Mercersburg, Penn.  Their children were John R., 
and Martha.  John R. Dickey was born near Mercersburg, September 23, 
1810.  About 1836 he removed to Wheeling, and two years later was 
married to Margaret DeHass, daughter of Gen. Charles DeHass, one of 
the early surveyors and settlers of the upper Ohio valley.  She was 
born May 26, 1819, and died in 1846, leaving one son, Charles A. 
Dickey.  October 25, 1847, the father was married to Elizabeth Vance, 
who was born in Ohio county, May 6, 1825.  She is a daughter of James 
and Mary (Waddell) Vance, the former of whom was born in Martinsburg, 
Va., and the latter in Ohio county, both of Irish families.  The 
father, known as Squire Vance, was a cooper by trade, and was also 
engaged in pork-packing at Triadelphia.  By the latter marriage, Mr. 
Dickey had four children:  Ralph, deceased; James Vance, John Lindsay 
and Mary Nelson.  John R. Dickey was a merchant at Wheeling at first, 
and subsequently removed to the city and organized the People's bank, 
in which stock was placed at $20.00 per share, for the purpose of 
persuading poor people to make investments.  Of this establishment he 
was cashier for four years, holding that position when his death 
occurred July 17, 1864.  His widow resides with her son in Wheeling. 


(Linda Fluharty)