Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912
Dice Family Biography
The grandparents of Andrew William Dice, of Uniontown, were born in Prussia where the grandfather died. After his death his widow came to the United States, making her home with her only child, John Dice, in Elliottsville, Pennsylvania, until her death.
(II) John Dice, the only child of his parents to reach adult age, was born in the province of Vine, Prussia, in 1836, died in 1900. He was educated in the state schools, and worked at farming until he was eighteen years of age. He was then cligible for army service, which to escape he left his native land taking passage in a sailing vessel for the United States. He finally found his way to Western Pennsylvania, settling in the mountains of Wharton township, Fayette county, Here he became a farmer. He served during the last eighteen months of the civil war in a Pennsylvania Regiment of Infantry. He saw hard service and in battle received a wound in the head. After the war he returned to his farm in Pennsylvania. He was a very large strong man weighing one hundred and ninety pounds, but during the war contracted rheumatism, which caused him a great deal of suffering all his latter years. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Catholic church.
He married Barbara E. Romesburg, born in Wharton township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, 1838, who survives him, a resident of her native township. She is a daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth Romesburg, who lived near Elliottsville in Wharton township. He died in middle life and his widow married (second) a Mr. Glover, by whom she had a son, Elias Glover, of Fairchance, Pennsylvania. Barbara E. was the only child of her first marriage. Children of John Dice: 1. John H., married Nancy Glass and lives at Elliottsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 2. Elizabeth, married Peter E. Jacoby and resides at Petersburg, Virginia. 3. George, died in early boyhood. 4. Andrew William, of whom further. 5. Caroline, died in infancy. 6. Cassie, married John Musser, of Uniontown. 7. Thomas, married a Miss Brady and lives in Elliottsville. 8. Joseph, married Emma Joe and lives at Elliottsville. 9. Cecelia, died aged sixteen years. 10. Loretta, married Milton Lake and resides in Elliottsville. 11. Martha, married Charles Brady and lives in Haydentown, Pennsylvania.
(III) Andrew William, fourth child of John and Barbara E. (Romesburg) Dice, was born February 13, 1864. He received a limited education, attending for a few terms the Hager and Sandy Creek schools, then both of the most primitive character, slab desks and benches without backs, upheld by wooden pegs. His home was in the Laurel Ridge Mountains at Elliottsville in Wharton township, where he remained until the age of seventeen years. He then changed his mountaineer's garb with his residence, locating in Uniontown, entering the employ of P. E. Jacoby, who taught him the trade of gun and locksmith. The boy was a natural mechanic and very soon became a valuable assistant. He continued with Mr. Jacoby until 1904, then purchased his employer's business. He continued same for two years, then re-sold to Mr. Jacoby 's son. In 1906 he formed a partnership with O. S. Burchinal and opened a similar establishment at the corner of South and Arch streets in Uniontown under the firm name of Dice & Burchinal. They conducted a general gun, locksmith and repair business with store attdiced for the sale of graphophones, guns, locks, etc., of which they carry a full retail stock. In 1911 Mr. Burchinal died, and after purchasing his interest from the estate Mr. Dice became sole owner. He has a prosperous business and is a recognized master of his craft, both as a draughtsman, designer and skilled artisan. He is a Democrat in politics, but extremely independent in local affairs. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and of C. M. B. A.
He married, April 20, 1891, Mary Ridgway, born at Cheat Neck, Monongalia county, West Virginia, January 8, 1872, daughter of Leroy and Sarah (Adams) Ridgway, both deceased. The Adams and Ridgways were old families and early settlers in the Monongalia Mountains of West Virginia, Grandfather Ridgway owning a long strip of land there which he divided into farms, giving one to each of his children, Children of Andrew W. and Mary (Ridgway) Dice: Madeline, born March 25, 1895; Sarah, born 1897, died aged four weeks; Edna, born 1898. The family home is at No. 82 South Gallatin avenue, Uniontown.
Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.
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