Edgar Dean Biography


	This biography appears on pages 818-821 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				EDGAR DEAN. 

	Edgar Dean, secretary and manager of the Farmers Lumber Company 
at Canton, is business man who has worked his way upward through close 
application and energy, making at all times wise use of his talents and 
his opportunities. Public honors of an important character have also 
come to him and in various relations of life his worth as a man and 
citizen is widely acknowledged. He was born in Sullivan county, New 
York, on the 26th of May, 1851, and is a son of George and Sarah 
(Tompkins) Dean. In early life the father followed lumbering, but 
afterward turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He 
served in the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteer Infantry in 
the Civil war and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. He is still 
living at the very advanced age of ninety-one years, but the mother has 
passed away. 

	In the public schools Edgar Dean pursued his education and in the 
school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. In early 
manhood he followed farming and also did some factory work for about 
two years, remaining in the east until 1874, when he determined to try 
his fortune in the northwest. Accordingly, he made his way to South 
Dakota, where he arrived on the 1st of May. He filed on a homestead and 
timber claim on the 14th of May, 1874, and with characteristic energy 
began the development and improvement of a farm, which he carefully and 
systematically operated for about fourteen years, when he put aside the 
active work of the fields, although he still owns the original 
property. 

	Mr. Dean's fellow townsmen have long recognized his worth and 
ability and his fitness for public office. Before leaving the farm he 
was called to the position of county commissioner, in which he served 
for two terms. He left the farm when elected county treasurer, which 
position he filled for four years, proving a most capable custodian of 
the public funds. He then returned to the farm, upon which he spent the 
succeeding two years. He was again elected to office as he was chosen 
to represent his district in the state senate and he served in that 
capacity for two years. While thus engaged he purchased an interest in 
the lumber business, with which he has since been connected, and as 
secretary and manager of the Farmers Lumber Company he is now at the 
head of a large trade, which has been greatly promoted through his 
efforts. His energy and enterprise are a stimulus to the business and 
his carefully formulated plans are carefully but promptly executed, 
with the result that a substantial income accrues. 

	In 1871, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Parker, a 
daughter of Parley Parker, of southern Indiana, and their children are: 
Ralph P.; George H.; Effie, DOW tile wife of C. H. Fitch, of Lincoln 
county; Edna J., the wife of Dr. C. L. Wendt, of Canton; Ella J., who 
became the wife of Hudson Baker and died in 1907; and Edgar Merle. 

The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, to the support of which Mr. Dean contributes liberally. His 
political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is 
unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles. His fraternal relations 
are with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, He belongs to Silver Star 
Lodge, No. 4, F, & A. M., and Siroc Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M. He is also 
prominent in Odd Fellowship, holding membership in Centennial Lodge and 
in the encampment. He is now department commander, with the rank of 
colonel of the Patriarchs Militant. His life exemplifies the beneficent 
spirit upon which those organizations rest, for he is always loyal to 
their teachings. His opinions carry weight in political and business 
circles, for he is recognized as a man of sound judgment and keen 
discrimination. No one questions his devotion to the public good in the 
discharge of his official duties and none have doubt as to his 
integrity and his enterprise in the management of business affairs.