He served in the cavalry unit of the local militia and served as a major during the Upper Canada Rebellion. Dickson represented Niagara in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1851. In 1855, he was appointed to the Legislative Council and served until Confederation, when he was appointed to the Senate.
Dickson served in the cavalry unit of the local militia during the Upper Canada Rebellion, achieving the rank of major. He represented Niagara in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1851 and later served on the Legislative Council until Confederation when he was appointed to the Senate.