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

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Nance Sampson, Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb CC on 16 October 2004
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** Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

William Dean, vice-president of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company,
Eau Claire, is one of the many self-made men who have contributed to
the development of the Chippewa Valley, and especially to the city of
Eau Claire.  His father, Alexander Dean, was a native of Bamfshire,
Scotland, and a good mechanic.  He came to New Brunswick when a young
man, and there married Matilda Garrison, who was born in Nova Scotia.
She died February 13, 1868, in New Brunswick, aged forty-five years. 
She was the mother of nine children, most of whom came to Eau Claire
in 1872, and made their home with our subject until they reached
maturity.  The father was a miller, and worked hard to support his
large family, but he had poor health the last fifteen years of his
life, and William became the main support of the family.  The father
died in Eau Claire July 22, 1890, aged seventy-six years.

William received the rudiments of an education in a little log
school-house, but as he was an apt scholar, he managed to master all
the teacher of that day taught.  His love for mechanical appliances
and tools made him what might be called a natural mechanic, and this
inclination, coupled with the untiring zeal and energy which he
displayed in all things he undertook, laid the foundation of his
ultimate success.  He was born September 6, 1845, in Campbellton,
Restigouche, N. B., the noted fishing and summer resort, and the
favorite haunt of ex-President Arthur.  He came to Wisconsin in 1865,
and to Eau Claire in April, 1866, and worked a short time for Andy
Brown, the old wagon-maker; then found employment in the sash and
door factory of Graham, White & Co., which later on was merged in the
Phoenix Manufacturing Company.  His wages at the start were $1.50 per
day.  After six months' work he was made foreman and received a
liberal compensation.  So well were his services appreciated by H. P.
Graham, the president of the company, that he was asked to become one
of its corporators.  He has been a stockholder and directory, also
general manager of the wood-working department ever since, and for
the last eight years has filled the office of vice-president.  The
company manufactures almost all kinds of mill machinery and fine
furniture.

February 20, 1878, in Augusta, Wis., Mr. Dean married Miss Serene
Eliza Culy, a woman devoted to her family and to church work.  They
have six children:  Garrison Culy, Winifred Theresa, Daisy Arthur,
William Graham, Archie Thompson and Helen June.  Mr. and Mrs. Dean
are active members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Dean is known
to display the same energy in church affairs that characterizes his
business management.  Politically he has some influence in democratic
circles.  His success in life has been solely the result of his own
industry and executive ability.

-Transcribed from the "Historical and Biographical Album of the
Chippewa Valley Wisconsin, 1891-2," page 677.

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