Dickey, Theophilus Lyle

DICKEY, Theophilus Lyle, lawyer and jurist, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 12, 1812, the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, graduated at the Miami (Ohio) University, and removed to Illinois in 1834, settling at Macomb, McDonough County, where he was admitted to the bar in 1835. In 1836 he moved to Rushville, where he resided three years, a part of the time editing a Whig newspaper. Later he became a resident of Ottawa, and, at the opening of the Mexican War, organized a company of volunteers, of which he was chosen Captain. In 1861 he raised a regiment of cavalry which was mustered into service as the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and of which he was commissioned Colonel, taking an active part in Grant's campaigns in the West. In 1865 he resigned his commission and resumed the practice of his profession at Ottawa. In 1866 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congressman for the State-at-large in opposition to John A. Logan, and, in 1868, was tendered and accepted the position of Assistant Attorney-General of the United States, resigning after eighteen months' service. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, and, in 1874, was made Corporation Counsel. In December, 1875, he was elected to the Supreme Court, vice W. K. McAllister, deceased; was re-elected in 1879, and died at Atlantic City, July 22, 1885.