William H. H. Dickinson (1840-1910)
One of Missoula’s early Post Masters. Missoula’s first photographer, a teacher,
and businessman.
 1840-Birth. October 23, 1840 in Salem Ohio. (William Henry
Harrison Dickinson – named after General Harrison)
 1871-Marriage. Emma Slack on November 5, 1871 near Corvallis
Montana. Emma was the first teacher in Missoula history and their
marriage is believed to be the first performed by a Protestant
Minister in the area. They had five children.
 1910-Death. September 4, 1910 in Missoula from heart failure.
 Dickinson family originally from the England countryside. At an
early day, they settled in the New Jersey area. The youngest of
seven children.
 July 30, 1861. Paid his own way to Kansas and was one of the first
to sign up for war during the Rebellion as he loathed slavery and
oppression. He enlisted under Colonel Montgomery and Lieutenant Coppie, one of John Brown’s men.
He served three years until August 21, 1864.
 1865. Employed by the government in Leavenworth Kansas. He made three trips to Montana, the first in
the spring of 1865.
 May 31, 1869. Began his journey to live in Montana. At Fort Peck the water was so low, the journey
ended with some people proceeding on foot while others (Dickinson included) remained until teams could
be procured from Fort Benton some 500 miles north. Indians were extremely hostile all around the fort
and men exited the fort at the risk of their own lives.
 September 13, 1869. William left the fort early morning to hunt for game and was attacked by four
Indians on horseback. He killed one, drove the others away, and reached the fort with his face besmeared
with blood after he had been shot in the cheek. Upon arriving back at the fort, he found the teams had
come for the other passengers and freight. A group of men tried to follow the Indians and upon finding
the dead Indian, William took the Indian’s scalp, gun, and pony to keep for himself.
 October 23, 1869. Arrived in the Bitterroot Valley near Corvallis. He was the first school teacher in the
Bitterroot valley.
 1870. Opened first photography business in Missoula. He conducted business as the first photographer
in all of Western Montana. Miners were especially fond of having photos of themselves with their mining
stakes.
 1872. Commissioned as a Republican Post Master of Missoula for $240 per year. By the end of his
service his salary had increased to $2400 per year in 1886.
 Invested in real estate and mining businesses. His wealth came when he subdivided 160 acres of land
near the city of Missoula for residential development.
 Affiliations – (not all inclusive)
• Republican – strict member since the party’s inception
• Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
• Intl Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)