Dr. Charles F. Dickenshied was one of the old line practioners who enjoyed great professional popularity through a long period of active duty. He was born in what is now Lower Milford Twp, in what is now Emaus, Jan 22, 1791, and was the son of John and Mary (Martin) Dickenshield, his mother being the daughter of the progenitor of a famous family of physicians, Dr. John Frederick Martin. His father died when the subject of the sketch was eight years of age. He then lived in the family of his grandfather, Dr. Frederick Martin, the father of Dr. Charles L. Martin. When about eighteen years of age he studied medicine with his maternal uncles, Drs. Charles and Jacob Martin. He entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania and attended the lectures of such eminent doctors as the Bartons, James, and Physick, who in their day ranked at the head of the profession. After his graduation in 1817, he practiced medicine in the Milfords and surrounding country and soon had a large practice. He remained in the profession until 1858, when he retired after he had acquired a handsome competency. He was a strict allopath. He relinquished his practice to his sons, Drs. J. H. and Charles Dickenshied, the latter of whom died at the Trappe, in Montgomery County, thirty odd years ago. In 1858 he moved to Allentown, which has been his home since. With the exception of a few years, he has lived all the time at his late residence. When the war of 1812 broke out he entered the service as a surgeon's mate, and he was one of the latest lingering veterans of that war. He died Oct. 24, 1881, at the age of eighty-nine years and twenty-six days, probably the oldest male citizen of Allentown at that time. He left four children, one son and three daughters. They are Dr. J. H. Dickenshied, of Lower Milford, Mrs. Dr. Samuel Young, Mrs. Rev. N. S. Strassburger, and Miss Rebecca Dickenshied. His wife survives, and is eighty-four years of age. She is a sister of Michael D. Eberhard, who is eighty-five.