We are not entirely certain who the proprietor of “The Dick” Bottling Works was, but the available evidence suggests it was most likely August C. Dick. The Dick family had a rich history in the beer and bottling business, with multiple members involved in the trade over several decades.
That said, it cannot be definitively confirmed that “The Dick” Bottling Works was associated solely with August. The name may refer only to him, or it may represent a partnership involving his brother, Albert J. Dick, who was also a bottler and had his own embossed bottles under the name A. J. Dick Bottling Works.
August C. Dick is listed as an agent for the Schlitz Brewing Co. in the 1897–98 Michigan City directory and for the Fred Miller Brewing Co. in 1899. He is also listed as a bottler in the 1899 directory, placing him in the trade during the period when these bottles were produced.
Albert J. Dick does not appear in the Michigan City directory until 1905, where he is listed as the proprietor of Dick Bottling Works. He does not appear in the 1902 directory, and since no directory is known to exist between 1902 and 1905, the exact timing of his involvement remains unclear.
At least two pint and quart blob bottles embossed “The Dick” Bottling Works are marked Streator Bottle & Glass Company, which operated from 1881 to 1905. This confirms that the bottles predate 1905.
Based on the available evidence, August C. Dick appears to be the most likely individual behind “The Dick” Bottling Works; however, the possibility remains that it was a partnership involving more than one member of the Dick family.
August was born on January 3, 1865. He and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Garwood, had five children. One of them, Clemens Garwood Dick (1886–1935), later operated a bottling business under the name C. G. Dick Bottling Works.
August died on December 26, 1908 from heart disease, and is buried in Patton Cemetery in La Porte with his wife, Elizabeth, and next to his father, Clemens Dick.
1890 – Not listed
1893-94 – Dick August C, ice dealer, 315 Franklin Street, home is the same.
1897-98 – Dick August C (Elizabeth), agent Schlitz Brewing Co., 1016 Michigan, home is the same.
1899 – Dick August C (Elizabeth), agent Fred Miller Brewing Co., 1016 Michigan, home is the same. (also listed under bottling works)
1902 – Dick August C (Elizabeth), agent Fred Miller Brewing Co., 1016 Michigan, home is at 713 Michigan.
1905 – Dick August C (Elizabeth), agent Fred Miller Brewing Co., home is at 708-1/2 Franklin.
– Dick Bottling Works, A J Dick proprietor, bottler of Fred Miller beer, also soft drinks, 1016 E Michigan.
– Dick Albert J (Clara), proprietor Dick Bottling Works, 1016 E Michigan.
1907 – Dick August C (Elizabeth), agent Fred Miller Brewing Co., home is at 708-1/2 Franklin.
– Dicking Bottling Works, Albert J., soft drinks and bottled beers, 1026 Michigan.
– Dick, Albert J. (Clara), bottler of soft drinks and bottled beer, home at 1026 Michigan.
1910 – August died in 1908, and Albert died in 1909.
Bottle Type: Pint, tooled blob top.
Embossing: THE DICK / BOTTLING WORKS / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: S.B. & G. Co. (embossed on base), Streator Bottle & Glass Co., Streator, Illinois.
Other Marks: “2” (embossed on heel), “3” (embossed on base), THIS BOTTLE NOT THE BE SOLD (embossed on back).
Notes:
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
