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Mr. Dickerman was a successful disciplinarian, although strongly opposed to corporal punishment. He made a specialty of reading and declamation. He was also personally interested in physical science, including chemistry, geology, and mineralogy. He was successful in interesting his pupils in these subjects, and also in developing among them good habits and manly character.
Mr. Dickerman became a member of the Somerville school board in 1880, and served twenty-six consecutive years; he seldom missed a meeting. No other member has served so long. He showed himself progressive,—desirous that the Somerville schools should have the best methods and the best teachers that the city could afford. He introduced the anti-cigarette order, which was adopted by the board in the year 1901. He was a warm advocate of manual training. Before his retirement the board passed resolutions highly complimentary of his services.
Mr. Dickerman married, November 25, 1862, Rebecca M. Perkins, daughter of Joseph P. and Sarah P. Perkins, of Charlestown. His wife had taught as the first assistant in the Warren School, Charlestown. In 1869 Mr.Dickerman and Mrs. Dickerman moved to Somerville, and in 1872 built the house corner of Central Street and Highland Avenue, which they occupied until the death of Mrs. Dickerman in January, 1906. Mr. Dickerman died January 25, 1909.
He was a member of Soley Lodge, A. F. and A. M., a past high priest of Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, a trustee of the Somerville Hospital from its organization, a member of the Winter Hill Congregational Church, the Appalachian Club, and the Somerville Historical Society.
Two children survive him, Frank E. Dickerman, of Somerville, and Mrs. Grace H., wife of Henry S. Hayward, of Mankato, Minn.
Two interesting oil paintings of Mr. Dickerman are in existence, one by Wallace Bryant, now in the house of his son, 47 Craigie Street, and the other a full-length portrait by Alfred Smith, in the Brimmer School, Boston.
(Acknowledgments to the Somerville Journal.)
