Benjamin Devor Dean
Oct. 7, 1828 - Nov. 2, 1908

Benjamin Devor Dean became the colonel of the 26th Missouri after the death of George B. Boomer at Vicksburg.  A short biographical sketch was written by him for the regimental history, on pages V-VII.  Additional research has uncovered the following information.

	Photo of Benjamin Dean taken in Memphis, Tenn. Courtesy of Sheri Smith at nssmith@cox-internet.com

Obituary from the Lamar (Missouri) Democrat, Nov 5, 1908

Col. B. D. Dean died very suddenly, at his home on North Broadway, in this city, about nine o’clock, Monday (Nov. 2) morning.

Colonel Dean had been indisposed since Thursday, though he had not been anything like seriously ill. But along about 3 o’clock Monday morning, he was seized with severe pains in the chest and he grew steadily worse until he expired six hours later.

Col. Dean was born in Dark county, Ohio, October 7, 1828. His father emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, in an early day and he served as an officer in the war of 1812.

Col. Dean grew to manhood in his native county, when at the age of twenty-two he became a practicing dentist. He practiced his profession, for several years, and then embarked into the mercantile business, from which he retired in 1857, to move to Franklin county, Missouri. He purchased a farm near Union, in Franklin county, where he resided until the breaking out of the Civil War. In 1861, he raised a company of the 26^th Missouri Volunteers, of which he was made captain.

At the battle of Iuka, in Northern Mississippi, in 1862, he was three times wounded. After the battle was over, the Colonel of the regiment said, "Captain Dean, it was your bravery and skill upon the field of battle that saved the honor of my regiment," and General Rosencrans (misspelled in obituary) declared it was the 26^th Missouri that saved the day for his army.

Captain Dean was in the long and bloody seige (misspelled in obituary) of Vicksburg, being the first man in three thousand to cross the Confederate Redoubts in one of the terrific charges that marked this long and sanguinary struggle. He was at the terrible battle of Lookout Mountain, and a short time afterwards Governor Gamble commissioned him a colonel. A short time afterwards he was given the command of a brigade. He served until in the spring of ’65, at Savannah he was mustered out and once more became a private citizen.

In 1872 he was elected treasurer of Franklin county and two years later, he was re-elected by a big majority.

In 1876, he was the Republican candidate for elector in the fifth district.

In 1877 he moved to Sedalia, where he practiced his profession for ten years, when after a brief stay in California, and another in Laclede county, he moved to Lamar, where he has resided ever since.

Col. Dean was married November 20^th, 1848 and his wife and two children survive him. Had he lived eighteen days longer, he and Mrs. Dean could have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary.

Aaron Dean, of this city, and Wm. S. Dean, of Hugo, Oklahoma, are the two surviving children. Mrs. Florence D. Myer, a daughter, died at her home in Los Angeles, California, twelve years ago.

Col. Dean was a prominent and life-long member of the Masonic order, and a sincere and earnest Christian. He leaves a life’s escutcheon as white as snow, and his gentle and courtly presence was the symbol of a real benediction. The whole city will mourn at his bier, for truly indeed was he a man in whom there was no guile.

Funeral notice from the Lamar (Missouri) Democrat Nov. 5, 1908

The funeral of Col. B. D. Dean occurred, Wednesday afternoon, at the residence on North Broadway. Dr. J. J. Martin delivered the address, while the services were conducted under the auspices of the local Masonic chapter, of which the Colonel was an honored and prominent member. The remains were interred in Lake Cemetery, and the long, useful and active career was at a close. As kindly and as courtly as a knight of yore, as true and as spotless as the saints of old, he has gone from us forever, and his cheering and gentle presence, so like a benediction, will scatter no more sunshine and hope in the world he has left behind.