Albert J. Dick was born on May 15, 1876, the son of prominent brewer Clemens Dick and Catherine Josephine Kalen. He was also the brother of August C. Dick.
Albert first appears in the 1899 La Porte city directory listed under meat markets. By 1902, he is recorded as the proprietor of the Dick Bottling Works in Michigan City.
In the July 15, 1905 issue of The American Carbonator and American Bottler, the Michigan City Dispatch reported that “the A. J. Dick Bottling Works in that city have been sold to John C. Ginther, and Mr. Dick will move to Valparaiso, Ind., to take charge of his bottling factory there.” A later article in the September 15, 1905 issue noted that William Ginther, who had recently purchased the A. J. Dick Bottling Works on East Michigan Street, was seriously injured when a pop bottle exploded in his hand.
Despite the earlier report, Albert does not appear to have relocated to Valparaiso. He is listed in the 1907 Michigan City directory as a bottler of soft drinks and bottled beer under the Dick Bottling Works name. The circumstances surrounding this discrepancy remain unclear, and further research in local newspaper microfilm may help clarify what occurred.
Albert J. Dick died in a tragic accident on March 1, 1909, when he was struck and killed by a train. Refer to the articles section for more details.
He is buried in Patton Cemetery in La Porte.
1) TWO KILLED AT CROSSING – AUTO STRUCK BY FAST TRAIN –ACCIDENT NEAR CINCINNATI CAUSES DEATH OF LAPORTE (IND.) MAN AND COMPANION AS THEY WERE RETURNING FROM FUNERAL.
CINCINNATI, O., March 1.—Edward Hebenstreit, head of the Hebenstreit Fire Works Company of Lockland, O., and a cousin, Albert Dick of Laporte, Ind., were instantly killed when their automobile was struck by a train at the Big Four crossing in Lockland this afternoon. Hebenstreit and his cousin had just returned from Reading, where they had attended the funeral of Albert Hebenstreit, a brother of Edward. Mr. Dick came here from Laporte Sunday to attend the funeral.
Hebenstreit and Dick stopped at the factory to make an inspection shortly after the noon hour and were starting to Hebenstreit’s home at Worthington and Harriet avenues, Lockland.
DID NOT SEE TRAIN COMING
As they started across the tracks they did not notice inbound passenger train No. 19 speeding along and dashed directly in front of it. The auto was hit squarely in the center. Both men were caught on the pilot of the engine and carried 200 feet or more before the train was brought to a stop. The bodies were crushed and mangled. The auto was thrown high in the air and demolished.
LAST OF THREE SONS KILLED.
DEATH OF YOUNG LAPORTE MAN LEAVES PARALYTIC FATHER CHILDLESS
LAPORTE, Ind., March 1.—The death of Albert J. Dick of this city in an automobile accident in Cincinnati this afternoon caused intense sorrow in this city. The young man’s father, Clemens Dick, one of the wealthiest residents of Laporte, was stricken with paralysis the other day and it is feared his son’s tragic end will hasten his death. Two sons of Mr. Dick died suddenly within the last few years, and his wife recently passed away, leaving the one son.
The boy’s body will be brought to this city for burial. The Indianapolis Star, March 2, 1909.
2) LAPORTE, Ind., March 3.—The body of Albert Dick, who with his cousin, Edward Hebenstein, was killed when an automobile in which they were riding at Lockland, O., was struck by a freight train, reached Laporte this morning, accompanied by Elmer Kreidler, a nephew. The funeral services will be held tomorrow morning at St. Peter’s Catholic church. The Indianapolis News, March 3, 1909.
1897 – 1899 La Porte Directories – Dick Albert J, meat market at 915 Main, home at 1002 Jefferson.
Michigan City Directories
1902 – Dick, Albert J. (Clara), proprietor of Dick Bottling Works, home at 1016 Washington.
– Dick Bottling Works, A. J. Dick, proprietor, bottlers of Fred Miller beer, also soft drinks, 1016 Michigan.
1905 – Dick Albert J (Clara), proprietor Dick Bottling Works, 1016 E Michigan.
– Dick Bottling Works, A J Dick proprietor, bottler of Fred Miller beer, also soft drinks, 1016 E Michigan.
1907 – Dick, Albert J. (Clara), bottler of soft drinks and bottled beer, home at 1026 Michigan.
– Dick Bottling Works, Albert J., soft drinks and bottled beers, 1026 Michigan.
Bottle Type: Quart, tooled blob top.
Embossing: A. J. DICK / BOTTLING WORKS / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: WF&S in an arch, with this design centered beneath it 
, and MIL in an inverted arch, embossed on the base.
William Franzen & Son, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Other Marks: THIS BOTTLE NOT TO BE SOLD (embossed on back).
Notes: Has a bail-wire lightning stopper.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors
Bottle Type: 7oz. soda, tooled crown top.
Embossing: A. J. DICK / BOTTLING WORKS / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: A B Co. (embossed on heel), American Bottle Co.
Other Marks: THIS BOTTLE NOT TO BE SOLD (embossed on front near base), REGISTERED (embossed on back heel above A B Co.).
Notes:
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors