William W. Dilks, farmer, stock-raiser and dairyman, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1842, and is a son of George and 
Hannah H. (Ritchie) Dilks.  He was educated at the schools of Philadelphia, in which place his father was a lumber 
merchant.  At an early age he began to work in a tannery, where he learned the currier’s trade, working at it till he 
grew to manhood, after which he clerked one year in a mercantile house in Philadelphia.  From 1860 to 1867 he followed 
farming in Preble County, Ohio, and in March, 1867, purchased a farm near Chester, Wayne Co., Ind., where he followed 
agricultural pursuits till 1870.  He also owned a farm west of Richmond, which was cultivated by tenants.  In 1870 he 
rented and removed to the farm where he still resides, which he purchased in 1883, and which contains 120 acres of fine 
agricultural lands.  In 1863 he was married to Annie B. Shoemaker, a native of Pennsylvania, who came with her parents, 
Charles H and Mary S. Shoemaker, to Wayne County, Ind., and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Dilks in 1860.  She was
 a member of the Orthodox Friends, and died in January, 1880, leaving two sons – Charles S., born Nov. 30, 1864, and 
William W., Jr., born Feb. 27, 1873.  In November, 1882, Mr. Dilks was again married to Sarah E., daughter of Jonathan 
and Mary Scarce, of Wayne County.  Mr. Dilks and wife are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends.

History of Wayne County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884. Volume 2. Page 777.