A Colosuss of A Man- Henry Austine Dillon

Below is an article printed in the Southern University Alumni Magazine  highlighting the
work of my Great Grandfather, H. A Dillon Sr.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ALUMNI PROFILE

To Seneca is attributed the statement, “A dwarf is small, even if he stands on a mountain; a colossus keeps his height, even if he stands in a well.”  Perhaps no case that could be cited better illustrates the strivings of a quiet, thrifty and conservative person as HENRY AUSTINE Dillon, SR. Among Southernites and other alike, H. A.Dillon, SR., is a gigantic statue.

At an early age he began his elementary education under his sisters and from there took his education work under his brother, O.W. Dillon who was at that time the principal of the Training School at Kentwood,Louisiana.  The school was later named O.W. Dillon High School.

DILLON was greatly influenced by his brother while working under the older Dillon. O.W. Dillon instilled in him to become a leader or a helper to improve the educational system for the school’s boys and girls. While young DILLON was going through high school, his brother gave him all the needed traits and statistics possible for running a school or whatever occupation he chose.  Upon completion of high school, his main objective was to improve his education so as to be in a position of helping enlighten the people in his community. By working in sawmills and any other job he could get, gave DILLON a little money and an idea. He made up his mind to attend Southern University in September  1922, not withstanding the fact that he didn’t have the finance.  Lucky for him, he was able to secure a job on the Southern University Farm. This enabled him to finish the two-year agriculture course in 1925.  He was a member of the Southern band from 1922-1924. 

With two years of college, he went back to Kentwood again under his brother as an instructor (rather than a student) and this was the time that pressure was really being put on him to prepare to for something better.  Although to him the pressure appeared to be more than he could bear, he knew this pressure was necessary in order to gain a foothold.  At this time, he was finding out that some advanced work was needed for the job he was doing.  So DILLON returned to Southern to finish two more years which had subsequently been added after he left.  This was the year of 1935, he had completed his four-year course requirements making him more capable to help not only the school, but farmers of that community as well. 

Working earnestly and diligently with students and community, he was appointment to the principalship of Morehouse Parish Training School at Bastrop, Louisiana.  It was then  he realized why the pressure was thrust upon him.  One other thing that he was beginning to realize, was that the child “should be trained to use his hands, as well as his brain.” By this time, he also realized that much more information was needed for his young students.  He began searching for more in his field of work. He went to Tuskegee for further study. 

Upon his return to his job and the school, he saw that growth of the plant meant he had to give up personal supervision of the agriculture department and work completely with the secondary work and administration of the school.  The welfare of the students became an instant concern and this too, meant more studies, more schooling and workshops.

From Bastrop, the next stop for DILLON was Oakdale, Louisiana and later Ferriday, Louisiana. His family now growing, salary became a great concern.  Finally, to augment his chosen profession, he opened a mattress factory as a sideline with the making and building of his own equipment.  Still not pleased with the conditions of doing   for his family, he left the educational system of Louisiana and went to Kansas City, Missouri.  There he entered construction work and later still seeking to better his condition, he left Missouri for California. 

While in California, he received a letter urging him to return to Kansas City.  Upon returning to Kansas City, he took over a Boys Scout troop because their leader was leaving for the army.  In Kansas City, he still maintained his contracting work.  While carrying out his civic responsibilities with the Scouts, two of DILLON’S boys were awarded the Eagle Scout Badge from the Roe Bartle Class of the Kansas City Council.  His sons returned to Louisiana upon completion of high school to pursue degrees at his Alma Mater, Southern.  This caused DILLON too, to return to Louisiana once again. 

DILLON assumed principalship of the Lisbon Elementary School of Waterproof, Louisiana. He started the first black scout troop in Tensas Parish.  The first troop in Waterproof and the P.T.A was the sponsor.  He was later appointed chairman of the Franklin Division of the Ouachita Council(B.S.A). He always talks about his boys of the community.  People often speak to him about “bad boys”, but DILLON counters with “there are no bad boys. All they need is a little guidance or counseling.”  He always thought that, “heredity deals the cards to each child, but the environment plays the hand and also the classroom teacher can help each child play his cards to the best advantage for himself and society. “

HENRY AUSTINE DILLON, SR. feels, “the training of children must be broad and as balanced as possible.  The temptation is however, to put emphasis on one aspect of life to the neglect of something else. “He goes on, “It is a fine thing to acquire much knowledge,
example the Apostle Paul reminds us that knowledge without love means nothing when it comes down to the final analysis.  It is important to see the necessity of well-rounded growth of our children, for one-sided people lack perspectiveness, “This he maintains is necessary to train the whole child for the future. 

With his retirement, he still has enthusiastic in children and is active in the identification with the solutions of the problems of his community, his state, nations and the world.  Some of the accomplishments he has achieved are: Twenty-seven years working with Boy Scouts; Gold Key recipient of Kansas City Council (B.S.A); Silver Beaver Award from Ouachita Valley Council (B.S.A);President ,Tensas Alumni Chapter of Southern University; President, Tensas Retired Teachers Association; Vice- President, Trail Blazers Club; member Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; patron of the Bellview Chapter O.E.S,---131; member and officer of the Myrtle Grove Baptist Church and 32 degree Mason. 

When all is said and done about HENRY AUSTINE DILLON, SR.and many find that men like him are impossible to replace, then all Southernites will suddenly realize that HENRY AUSTINE DILLON, SR.  isn’t just merely a “man” but really a colossus.