Edgar Dean Biography

	This biography appears on pages 1013-1014 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	EDGAR DEAN, one of the best known citizens of Lincoln county, South 
Dakota, was born  May 26 1851, in Sullivan county, New York, where he 
lived until he was eight years old, at  which time his parents moved to 
Ulster county, that state, where they remained until he was  about 
sixteen years old, when they again moved, this time locating in Dekalb 
county, Illinois.  Mr. Dean attended the common schools of the 
neighborhoods in which he resided, afterwards  attending the high school 
at Sycamore, Illinois. In May, 1874, he came to Dakota territory,  
locating in Lincoln county, taking up as a homestead a quarter section 
of land in Norway  township and also an eighty-acre tree claim. He 
remained on this tract until 1887, improving it  as the years went by, 
until he became the possessor of a model farm. In the fall of 1887 Mr. 
Dean was elected treasurer of Lincoln county and in consequence moved to 
Canton that he might  give his entire attention to the duties of the 
office. He served in this office for four years,  faithfully discharging 
the duties of the same and winning for himself the confidence and esteem  
of the people. Prior to his service as county treasurer he had served 
for four years as a member  of the board of county commissioners, and 
also served on the Canton board of education for  four years, so that 
his experience in public affairs was varied and of sufficient length to 
either  condemn or commend him to the public. That the people viewed his 
record with favor is shown  by the fact that in 1891 he was chosen state 
senator from Lincoln county, and at the subsequent  session ably 
represented his constituents in the legislature. He has given his best 
efforts to the  people and to the county which has honored him with 
these respective positions of trust and  honor and has been active in 
all movements looking to the advancement of his county and city.  He now 
owns a half section of land in Norway and Pleasant townships, Lincoln 
county. In  1891 he engaged in the lumber business at Canton, acting as 
secretary and manager of the Farmers' Lumber Company, and is conducting 
this business at the present time, the enterprise  meeting with splendid 
success.  

	In 1871 Mr. Dean was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Parker, 
of Kingston, Illinois, but  who was born in Perry county. Indiana, and 
to them have been born six children, namely:  Ralph, George, Effie, 
Edna, Ella and Edgar M.. all of whom are now living. Fraternally, Mr.  
Dean is a member of the Masonic order and also of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows.