WI BIO - Dane Co - DICK, Walter Moody
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 487

Walter Moody DICK, a popular resident of Dunn Township, Dane County, WI, a 
gentleman who made the first piece of tapestry velvet carpet in the U. S., 
was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 16 Feb 1815. His father, Andrew DICK, was 
born in the same city and his grandfather, William DICK, was also a 
Scotchman. William DICK was a tanner and shoemaker, and conducted these 
various branches of business in Glasgow, where he probably spent his last 
years. Andrew DICK learned the business of shoemaker and carried on the 
business in Glasgow for some years, and died there when Walter Moody DICK was 
but an infant.

The maiden name of the mother of Walter Moody DICK was Elizabeth JENNINGS, of 
Scottish birth. Her father, William JENNINGS, kept a public house in the 
south of Scotland, where he spent his entire life. The mother of our subject 
removed to the vicinity of Bannockburn soon after her husband's death, and 
spent the remainder of her days there. She had but two children, Walter 
Moody and Ellen, the former our subject, and the latter married John 
WILLIAMSON, and now resides in the town of Dunn [Dane County, WI], almost 90 
years of age.

Walter Moody DICK was reared near Bannockburn and there learned the trade of 
carpet weaver, which he followed until 1846. At that time he and his wife 
came to America, leaving Glasgow, Scotland, the last of Mar 1846 on a sailing 
vessel, "Saracen," landing at NY after a voyage of six weeks. From there he 
went to Middletown [Middlesex County], CT, remaining until the fall, then to 
Newark [Essex County], NJ, where he wished to start a tapestry velvet 
factory, the first institution in this country. There he made the first 
piece of tapestry velvet ever made in the U. S., and carried on the factory 
there for 18 months, and then moved the factory to Troy, NY, where he 
operated it until the fall of 1849, when he removed to WI via railroad to 
Buffalo, NY, by lake to Milwaukee, WI, and thence by team to Dane County, WI. 
At that time the country was sparsely settled, but little improved and 
droves of wild animals roamed at will. Before coming here he bought the land 
which is now included in his present farm and for this he paid $3 per acre. 
He had hired a man to build a log house for him, but it was not completed 
when they arrived, so they took up their quarters at the Lake View tavern 
until their house could be finished. They have been residents of this place 
continuously ever since. He has erected a frame addition to his house, 
planted fruit, shade trees, and otherwise improved it.

Walter Moody DICK was married 09 Mar 1846 to Miss Helen INGLIS, born in East 
Lothian, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, daughter of Alexander Inglis Gardner and 
Isabella (PEFFERS) INGLIS. Walter Moody and Helen (INGLIS) DICK have reared 
nine children: Walter M., Alexander, Isabell Robinson, Elizabeth Van Etten, 
Helen, Mary E. Howe, William S., Edward J., and Randall C. Mr. and Mrs. DICK 
were reared in the Presbyterian Church and have always held to that faith. 
Politically Mr. DICK is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for 
Franklin PIERCE. [Transcriber makes the assumption that names of daughters 
are not married names; thus Robinson, Van Etten, and Howe have not been 
capitalized.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly