Education and career
Born on October 5, 1823, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Dick graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1843 and read law in 1845. He entered private practice in Wentworth, North Carolina from 1845 to 1848. He continued private practice in Greensboro from 1848 to 1853. He was the United States attorney for the Albemarle, Cape Fear, and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina from 1853 to 1861. He was a member of the North Carolina Council of State from 1862 to 1864. He was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1864 to 1865. He resumed private practice in Greensboro from 1865 to 1868. He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina from 1868 to 1872.[1]
Federal judicial service
Dick received a recess appointment to the United States District Court for the Albemarle, Cape Fear and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina on May 29, 1865, but declined the appointment.[1]
Dick was nominated by President Ulysses S. Grant on June 7, 1872, to the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, to a new seat authorized by 17 Stat. 215. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 7, 1872, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on July 6, 1898, due to his retirement.[1]
Death
Dick died on September 12, 1898, in Greensboro.[1]
