Coopersville Observer, January 9, 1931

Civil War Veteran, 89, Answers Last Roll; Funeral Thursday

Charles N. Dickinson, aged 89, Civil War Veteran, former county official and former Coopersville resident, died Monday afternoon at his home in Grand Haven. Since October 25, when he had fallen at his home, his strength had gradually failed and he relinquished his hold on life and answered the final roll call after a life of usefulness to his community and his country.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home and at 2:30 from the Grand Haven Methodist Church. Burial was in Lake Forest Cemetery.

Charles Nathan Dickinson was born in Potsdam, New York, in 1841, one of a family of eight, only one of whom, a brother, James Dickinson, of Grand Rapids, survives. He came to Michigan in 1849 with his parents settling near Coopersville, in the Lillie school district, but in the Wright Township, where he received his education.

Joining the 21^st Michigan Infantry, Co. G, Mr. Dickinson saw some heavy engagements and was an exchange prisoner from Libby Prison.

Immediately following the war he went to Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and then came back to Ottawa County to teach school in the Lillie District. For many years the deceased was one of the faithful attendants at the school reunion and always had a great interest in the welfare of his old home district and community.

Following his marriage to Miss Marietta Cook, a few years were spent in Coopersville, later moving to Grand Haven, where he has since made his home.

He was Superintendent of the Poor in the county and Justice of the Peace for four terms, resigning three years age because of ill health.

Mrs. Dickinson died in 1915, and in 1919 he was married to Cornelia Southworth, of Ovid, who with one daughter, Miss Florence Dickinson, of Grand Rapids, survives him.