B D Dean Biographical Sketch

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Page V

Col. B. D. Dean
From a photograph taken in 1890.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
[From the "History of Missouri"]

BENJAMIN DEVOR DEAN, of Lamar, Barton county, Missouri, was born on the 17th of October, 1828, in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio. His father, Aaron Dean, was born in New Jersey; immigrated to Ohio, at an early day; and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an intelligent farmer, and an officer in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm; was educated at Greenville – studying, at the age of twenty-two, dental surgery, which profession he practiced for several years. He then

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engaged in merchandising with marked success. In 1857, Dean came to Missouri, purchased a farm near Union, Franklin county, and in the following spring settled upon the property.

In 1861, he raised a company for the 26th Regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned its Captain. He was in the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, where he received three wounds. He was complimented by his Colonel for his good conduct upon that occasion, "on the bloody field of Iuka, you have made the reputation of my regiment," General Rosecrans declared that the 11th and 26th saved the day. On the 28th of May, 1863, Dean was commissioned Colonel by Governor Gamble – he having been promoted "for gallant conduct at Champion Hills, Mississippi, and at the attack on the fortifications at Vicksburg." He was the first of the three thousand men who crossed the Tennessee river at midnight, November 23rd, 1863, and attacked the confederate forces on Mission ridge, causing them to fall back from Lookout Mountain. On the 11th of July, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Division of the 15th Army Corps. On the 10th of November he moved forward for the Grand March with General Sherman to the sea. On the 9th of January, 1865, he was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Savannah, Georgia, and returned to his home in Missouri. In 1872 he was elected Treasurer of Franklin county, and re-elected in 1874, by a large majority. Mr. Dean was on the Republican ticket as Presidential Elector for the 5th Congressional District, and was twice elected mayor of Union. He was made a Mason in 1856, was one

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of the charter members of Union Lodge, No. 731, and occupied the position of Master thereof, for eight years. He was also D. D. G. M. of that Masonic District for one year. Colonel Dean married Sarah A. Harlan, daughter of Nathan Harlan, a prominent farmer and extensive stock dealer of Warren county, Ohio, and has three children as follows:

Mrs. Florence D. Meyer, of Los Angeles, Cal.
Aaron G. Dean, of Lamar, Mo.
William S. Dean, of Lamar, Mo.

Colonel Dean removed to Sedalia in 1877, and in 1880 he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen, and was chosen Chairman of the Board for two terms, and on retiring from the Board of Aldermen, was presented with a handsome gold-headed cane appropriately inscribed. He was also one of the Directors of the Sedalia University, and Commander of Geo. R. Smith Post, No. 53, Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1887, Col. Dean visited California, and after a five months’ sojourn, returned and engaged in farming in Laclede county for two years. Removing to Lebanon, Mo., he practiced dentistry for a time, and then removed to Lamar, Mo., where he engaged in the merchant-tailoring and ready-made clothing business. Col. Dean is and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Lamar.

ERRATA

On page 2, last paragraph, sixth line, instead of "present at the battle of Tiptonville," should read "surrender of Tiptonville." Also in tenth line, instead of the "capture of Island No. 10," should read "capture of New Madrid."