Dickinson, John Wesley, Captain (1850-1909) | Maine Maritime Museum Manuscript Collection Online Catalog

Capt John Wesley Dickinson, brother of Wylie, was born in Bath, December 30, 1850. His seafaring career started at the young age of 14 years, making his first voyage with Capt. John S. Lowell on the Phippsburg ship Mary E. Riggs. His first command was the bark C. S. Rogers in 1876. His other commands were the Alice M Minott and Berlin of the Minott Fleet, Wm. F. Babcock of the Sewall fleet and Arabia of the Houghton fleet and his last vessel was the Sewall ship Benj. F. Packard. For twelve years during his sea life, he was a shipmate with his brother, Capt. Wylie R. Dickinson.

            John Wesley Dickinson married Margaret Jane Powers (sister of Emma S., Wylie Dickinson’s wife) on Feb. 21, 1874 and had three children. Daughter Laura Wesley in 1875, sons John Wiley in 1882 and Vincent Colley in 1888.

            Capt. John Dickinson retired from his seafaring days in 1894 and moved his family to California, where he purchased a fruit ranch in Aroma, California.  He died on June 7, 1909 in Hanford, California at the age of 59. His wife, Margaret Jane, died October 1936 in Berkeley, California.