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Rev. James Anderson Ross Dickson, B.D. Ph.D.

Rev. James Anderson Ross Dickson, B.D. Ph.D.[1, 2]

Male 1839 - 1915  (75 years)

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  • Name James Anderson Ross Dickson 
    Prefix Rev. 
    Suffix B.D. Ph.D. 
    Born 22 Oct 1839  Tranent, , East Lothian, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 5, 6, 7] 
    Gender Male 
    Interesting religion, life story 
    Immigration 1857  , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Name J. R. Dickson 
    Occupation 14 Oct 1879  St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    called to serve to Union Church 
    • Rev. James A.R. Dickson had been called to Union Church on October 14, 1879 and therefore assumed the ministry for the new joint congregaton. 1a

      1aAmbrose, Rosemary. Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide to Churches Established Before 1900. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1993. [used the kind permission of Rosemary Ambrose 2011]
    Occupation 1881  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Clergyman 
    Occupation 1882  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    minister 
    Occupation 1891  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Minister 
    Residence 1891  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    P;resbyterian 
    Occupation 1901  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Minister 
    Occupation 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Pastor, Central Presbyteian Church 
    Residence 1911  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Presbyterian 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-65794P 
    Died 10 Jan 1915  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9, 10] 
    Cause: Chronic Heart Disease (5 years) - Heart Failure (immediate) 
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Person ID I65794  Generations
    Last Modified 3 Mar 2025 

    Family Isabella Elliot Fairbairn,   b. 29 Aug 1850, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Aug 1902, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years) 
    Children 
     1. James Dickson,   b. NOT GIVEN, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Maggie Dickson,   b. 22 Apr 1868, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Mar 1958  (Age 89 years)
     3. Minnie Dickson,   b. 29 Jul 1869, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1951  (Age 81 years)
     4. Dr. David A. Dickson,   b. 1 Mar 1871, London, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Oct 1946  (Age 75 years)
     5. Annie Dickson,   b. May 1872, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1946  (Age ~ 73 years)
     6. Walter Dickson,   b. 1874, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     7. Charles James Dickson,   b. 1876,   d. 1946  (Age 70 years)
     8. Charles J. Dickson,   b. 29 Aug 1876, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Ethel Dickson,   b. 1878, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. Ethel Maud Dickson,   b. 14 Jun 1878, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1946  (Age 67 years)
     11. Belle Dickson,   b. 1882, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     12. Isabella Dickson,   b. 22 Jun 1882, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     13. Jennie Dickson,   b. 22 Jun 1882, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1963  (Age 80 years)
     14. Bree Dickson,   b. Aug 1884, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     15. Grace Dickson,   b. 1887, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     16. Grace Mcmillan Dickson,   b. 22 Oct 1887, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 4 Mar 2025 
    Family ID F17191  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Rev. James A. R. Dickson    		Rev. James A. R. Dickson

  • Notes 
    • Central Presbyterian Church

      A United Presbyterian congregation was formed on April 6, 1857 by Rev. John M. King, and a church was built at the junction of Metcalfe Street and the Blair Road. The church was renamed The Second Canada Presbyterian Church in 1861 and then Melville Presbyterian Church on January 7, 1866. In early 1870 the church was joined by the members of the short-lived Bayne Church and the name was changed to Union Presbyterian Church; it then became Central Presbyterian Church (with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church) on May 18, 1880. Rev. James A. R. Dickson had been called to Union Church on October 14, 1879 and therefore assumed the ministry for the new joint congregation. Rev. Dr. Dickson was to remain minister until forced to retire in January 1914 due to ill health. Ministers who followed him were Revs. M. B. Davidson (1914-1952) and David Gowdy (1952-1974).

      On July 26, 1880, the cornerstone for a new stone church was laid; nearly two years later, on March 5, 1882, the opening sermons were preached in the new church. The gallery was added in 1889 and in 1905 electric lighting was installed. The church bells date from the following year, 1906. Many years later a large addition was constructed for office, meeting and Christian Education space; it was opened and dedicated on April 10, 1954.

      Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

      _____________________________________


      Union Presbyterian Church

      The church was formed from the union of Melville Presbyterian Church and the short-lived Bayne Church (or the New Presbyterian Congregation) on April 13, 1870. Bayne Church had been formed on August 19, 1869, and had held its first and last communion in November 1869. In June of 1879 the pulpit of Union Church, which had been occupied by Rev. Richard Bentley since 1871, became vacant. Rev. James A. R. Dickson, who was soon to serve the new united Central Presbyterian Church congregation, was called to Union Church on October 14, 1879. Union joined with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to become Central Presbyterian Church on May 18, 1880. The Union Church building was sold to Thomas Hamilton and was "used as a dwelling until destroyed by fire in 1890" (Barrie 1982: 33).

      Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

      ________________________

      Knox Preston Presbyterian Church

      Rev. Charles Freshman, who served as a German Wesleyan Methodist missionary in Preston and area c.1860-1869, stated in his autobiography that the Presbyterian Church engaged a "young Swiss preacher and sent him out to evangelize the Germans in Waterloo County" (Freshman 1868: 284). Dr. Freshman reported that the young Presbyterian preacher preached in the "Lutheran Church in that place [Preston] ... but he failed to establish a cause" (Ibid:285).

      According to the Minutes of the Second General Assembly (1876) of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, a German Mission was established in Preston on August 10, 1875 and an English one was begun on March 14, 1876. Rev. George Haigh was inducted as Minister to the combined congregations of Preston, Doon and Hespeler on April 24, 1876. Formal organization of this English-speaking congregation was on August 29, 1876. Services at the German Mission were "suspended" in January, 1878, "for want of encouragement", according to the Minutes of the Fourth General Assembly in 1878.

      Commencing in 1880, services were held by Rev. Haigh in a stone building at the corner of Duke and Argyle Streets in Preston. However, on March 20, 1883 Preston was separated from Doon and Hespeler which remained under the ministry of Rev. Haigh. Preston reverted to a Mission Station at that time, only to be "dissolved" on September 16, 1884, according to the Minutes of the Eleventh General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1885.

      The congregation was reorganized in 1891 by Dr. James A. R. Dickson of Central Presbyterian Church, Galt; the first church service was held on April 5, 1891 by Mr. P. W. Anderson in the Royal Templars' Hall in the Schultz Block. The Town Hall was then used for a short time; the first Kirk Session was elected there on March 12, 1893. The Lyceum Hall on King Street was purchased in 1893, renovated, and dedicated on July 16, 1893. Preston and Doon were placed on a two-point charge in 1893; the first minister was Rev. Herbert Francis Thomas (1893-1898) who was ordained and inducted into Knox Presbyterian on August 21, 1893. The church was rebuilt in 1938 and was in use until 1965 when the new church was completed; the King Street property was then sold.

      The cornerstone for a new church on Argyle Street North, between King and Duke Streets, was laid on October 18, 1964. Dedication services for the new building held on March 27, 1965 included locking the door of the old church. In 1973 the name of the church was changed to Knox Preston Presbyterian Church when Preston joined with Galt and Hespeler to form the city of Cambridge. Dates on church: 1893, 1965.

      Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

      ______________________

      Rev. James A. R. Dickson came to Galt in 1879 and served as the last minister of the Union Presbyterian Church and the first minister of Central Presbyterian Church. He came to Brantford in 1857 and attended Brantford Grammar School and later graduated McGill University. He graduated Congregational College in 1865 and served in First Congregational Church in London, later to the Northern Congregational Church in Toronto. He joined the Presbyterian church before coming to Galt in 1879. He was a frequent contributor of religious periodicals and publications and the author tracts and books including "Ebenezer, a History of Central Presbyterian Church" He served until illness forced his retirement in 1915.


      Cambridge Mosaic , Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [abbreviated snippet from original text in book]

  • Sources 
    1. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Thomas Cephas Pearse Born: Coburg Ont Age: 28 Father: Thomas Pearse Mother: Elizabeth Ann Pearse Born: abt 1868 Spouse: Minnie Dickson Age: 26 born: London Ontario Father: Jas A R Dickson Mother: Isabella Dickson married 5 Feb 1896 married: Waterloo, Galt

    2. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration, 18559-04.
      David A. Dickson, 33, Occ. Doctor, b. London Ont., Res. Galt, son of Rev. James A. R. Dickson and Isabella E. Fairbairn, married Lairnia Reid, 29, b. Canada, Res. Galt, daughter of William Reid and Jessie Patterson, Witn: E. J. and Maggie Dickson of Galt, 3 May 1904 at Galt

    3. [S259] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1901, Galt (Town/Ville) C-10 Page 1.

    4. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 91.

    5. [S572] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1911, Div. 18 Page 3.

    6. [S1800] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1891, Sec. 1 Page 65.

    7. [S2697] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge, Mount View Cemetery Internet Link.
      [E] Hodie Mihi. Cras Tibi/ sacred to/ the memory of/ Isabella Elliot FAIRBARIN/ dearly beloved wife of/ Rev. J.A.R. DICKSON B.D. Ph.D./ born at London Ont. Aug. 29, 1850/ died at Galt Ont. Aug. 15, 1902/ She being dead yet speaketh/ Rev. James A. R. DICKSON, B.D. Ph.D./ born at Tranent, Scotland, Oct. 22, 1839/ died at Galt, Jan. 10, 1915/ for 35 years/ Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church/ DICKSON

    8. [S512] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - Central Presbyterian.
      Ethel DICKSON born 14 Jun 1878 Galt Parents James A. R. DICKSON & Isabella E. FAIRBAIRN baptized 15 Oct 1882 Occupation: Minister

    9. [S607] News - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph (1899- ), "Obituary of Rev. J. A. R. Dickson," Jan 14 1915 pg 4.

    10. [S2491] aaa Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 032510 (1915).
      Name:Jas Q R Dickson Gender:Male Age:76 Birth Date:abt 1839 Birth Place:Scotland Death Date:10 Jan 1915 Death Place:Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Cause of Death:Chronic Heart Disease

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 22 Oct 1839 - Tranent, , East Lothian, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - 1857 - , Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - called to serve to Union Church - 14 Oct 1879 - St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Clergyman - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - minister - 1882 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Minister - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - P;resbyterian - 1891 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Minister - 1901 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Pastor, Central Presbyteian Church - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1911 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Chronic Heart Disease (5 years) - Heart Failure (immediate) - 10 Jan 1915 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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