BIOGRAPHIES:  Alexander DEAN, Eau Claire, Eau Claire Co., WI 

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** Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Alexander Dean, the popular undertaker of Eau Claire, is the son of
Alexander and Matilda (Garritson) Dean, who were both born in
Scotland, where his father followed the occupation of ship builder
near Aberdeen until 1868, when he was sent by Queen Victoria to the
Bay of Chileura, Quebec, Canada, and employed as a ship builder by
the English government.  He followed this business successfully for
years, making himself financially independent, so that at the time of
his death he was living in retirement and ease.  After a few years in
Quebec he moved to New Brunswick, continuing in the business and
obtaining all his timber from the Canadian forests until 1888, when
he retired from active work, moved to Eau Claire and here spent the
remainder of his life.  He passed away in 1895 at the age of 98 years,
and was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery.  Mrs. Dean died in 1868
and was buried in Rustiguise, N. B.  They had a family of twelve
children, seven of whom are now (1914) living, viz:  Anna lives in
Montreal; Eliza, Jennie and James live in Los Angeles; Isabell,
Tillie and Alexander, Jr. (our subject).  Those deceased are Mary,
Maggie, Alexander, William and Alexander.

Alexander Jr., was born near Aberdeen, in Scotland, in 1866, and
obtained most of his education in New Brunswick, N. S., where the
family lived for some time.  In 1888 he came to Eau Claire and went
to work for the Phoenix Manufacturing Company as woodworker and
machinist, remaining in that position for about ten years.  In 1899
he went to St. Paul, Minn., and took up a course of embalming at the
Barnes School of Embalming, and also studied the method of funeral
directing, and in 1900 he returned to Eau Claire and opened his
present establishment for this work at the corner of Water street and
Fourth avenue, where he has since carried on a successful business. 
He also manufactures picture frames of all designs, at which he
realizes a good profit.

Mr. Dean is a man of rare business ability, thoroughly up with the
times and a first-class fellow in every respect.  He is president of
the Eau Claire Rod and Gun Club, of which he was the organizer and
founder, and the spacious and commodious building which the club
occupies is the result of his personal efforts and supervision.  He
is a Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, and also was a member of the Knights of Pythias.  He is
independent in politics, is a member of the ______ church and has
been head of the Sunday school for years.

Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Ellia Rilette, daughter of
Erickson Rilette, of Christiania, Norway.  Mrs. Dean is a lady of
excellent business qualifications, and a fair share of the successful
business career of Mr. Dean can justly be credited to her good
judgment and untiring efforts.


-Transcribed from the "History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin,
1914," pages 695-696

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