Guide to the Dickins and Dodge Papers MSS-2019-01-04
Lauren DeCelle
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
2019
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Dickins and Dodge Papers
source:
San José State University. Library. Special Collections.
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2019-01-04
Physical Description:
1 Box
(0.209 linear ft.)
Date (inclusive): 1854-1910
Abstract: Materials in the collection relate to the family and business matters of Walter Dickins, specifically of work done for the
W. W. Dodge & Co. Materials include personal papers, sketches, and clippings related to three generations of the Dickins
family.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Dickins and Dodge Papers, MSS-2019-01-04, San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Lauren DeCelle.
Biographical History
Walter Dickins worked as a clerk and bookkeeper for the W. W. Dodge & Co. in San Francisco, CA from 1867 - 1883. Later he
transferred to the lumber business, eventually owning his own company in 1890 in San Francisco, the Dickins-Hobart Lumber
Co. until his death in 1909. His father, Thomas W. Dickins, worked as a clerk in the Department of State 1843 - 1845, and
later as a legislative clerk in the office of the Secretary of the Senate under his father, Walter's grandfather, Asbury Dickins,
from 1845-1861. Afterwhich Thomas W. moved his family of 9 to California. Asbury Dickins spent his career in government, where
he worked as clerk and chief clerk in the Treasury Department, chief clerk in the Department of State, and lastly as secretary
of the United States Senate. He had one of the longest runs as secretary of the United States Senate at 25 years, and was
influential in shaping the role into what it is today. Asbury Dickins' father, John Dickins, immigrated from England and was
a Methodist preacher.
Publications Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the SJSU Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not
intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions
also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
Materials in this collection are related to the family and business matters of Walter Dickins. The majority of the personal
papers included document the court cases of Walter's grandfather and father, Asbury Dickins and Thomas W. Dickins, in which
they seek reimbursement for unpaid work in various federal positions. The rest of the materials relate to Walter Dickins'
professional life as a clerk for W. W. Dodge & Co. and entrepreneur. Also included are a few of Walter Dickins' personal sketches.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Dickins, Asbury, 1780-1861
Dickins, Thomas W.
Dickins, Walter
W. W. Dodge & Co.
San José State University. Library. Special Collections.
Box 1, Folder 1
Asbury Dickins Petition in the Court of Claims, 1854 & 1855
Box 1, Folder 2
List of Walter Dickins' San Francisco Business Directories Entries, 1867-1910
Box 1, Folder 3
Walter Dickins' Sketches 1867-1871
Box 1, Folder 4
Walter Dickins' Sketches for W. W. Dodge & Co., circa 1870
Box 1, Folder 5
W. W. Dodge & Co. Letter Head, circa 1870
Box 1, Folder 6
Letter to Thomas W. Dickins, Jan 29th, circa 1870
Box 1, Folder 7
Asbury and Thomas W. Dickins American State Papers Claim Correspondence, Feb 1872
Box 1, Folder 8
Clipping of 1874 Congressional Record Regarding the Heirs of Asbury Dickins
Box 1, Folder 9
Walter Dickins' Honerable Discharge from the National Guard, 1879
Box 1, Folder 10
Dickins-Hobart Lumber Co. Business Card, circa 1890
Box 1, Folder 11
Tilden and Alice Dickins' Sketch, 1892
Box 1, Folder 12
The Port Folio Chapter Excerpt from THe Literary History of Philadelphia, 1906
