DEAN, Seth (1851-1927)

DEAN, BRIGGS, BAXTER

Posted By: Elaine Harrington (email)
Date: 11/12/2006 at 21:05:14

MILLS COUNTY TRIBUNE
DATED THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1927

Seth Dean, a man so widely known in Mills county as to need no comment on his life, answered the final summons on Monday evening, Feb. 14, at his home on North Walnut street, Glenwood. He had been sick, unable to leave the house and most of the time bedfast, for the past three months.

His entire life of more than 75 years, with the exception of one year, has been lived in the county. For a half century of his life he has lived in Glenwood. He was such a man in his life activities as to cause those who mingled with him closely to feel that he was never an old man. He probably held the distinction for some time previous to his death, of being the oldest native born citizen of Mills county. He was born in Lyons township October 20, 1851.

Seth Dean held a peculiar place in the history of Mills county. He was a man recognized outside of his county and state as one of the leading civil engineers of the west. He gained that recognition by his own efforts, and no college of engineering has his name on its roster of graduates except as an honorary member.

He serviced as county surveyor for more than twenty years and most of that time had no opponent in his election. He loved the work of civil engineering and devoted his time to learn it, not only in theory, but in a practical way. He was a student of the geology as pertains especially to his home county, and has presented many learned and interesting theses upon the subject before societies in distant places as well as before societies of his home town and county.

During his services as county surveyor, he acquired a wide acquaintance in the county. After his service as surveyor he established himself as a civil engineer and as such his services in establishing drainage districts became state wide in its scope.

Mr. Dean has served for some sears as one of the examiners of applicants for engineering certification. He was also a member of the State Conservation Board. His knowledge of geology made him a valuable man in organizations that dealt with the formations that underlay Iowa soil. He has presented several interesting papers before the Briar Club, of which he was a member, and the members were looking forward to his paper, “The Glacial Period,” which he was to present in the near future.

Mr. Dean as a member of fraternal orders occupied a conspicuous place. He has held every official position in the home Masonic orders and also in the higher orders of that fraternity. He was also a member of the K. P. order and was instrumental in presently the work of that order in an instructive way. As a member of the Baptist church his services and devotion were of the kind that gave him leadership. As a citizen and neighbor he gave loyalty and service. In his knowledge of local history of home community and county he had few, if any equals.

He compiled a most interesting genealogy of the Briggs and Dean families while he served as secretary of the Briggs Association. In information concerning early pioneers of this county he had no superior, and he often made interesting the old settlers reunions by papers upon early day events and persons of the county. To him men would go often for the verification of incidents that may have been in dispute. In his wide knowledge of matters of his profession and historical data he always spoke modestly.

Glenwood and Mills county in Mr. Dean’s death has lost a valuable citizen. He stood for the best in human conduct without aggressiveness. He gave freely and with pleasure to all inquiries. If he found opposition to his professional projects in engineering he would even concede to suggestions rather than hold rigidly to his plans, for he was generous toward the views of others, though they differed from his own views or suggestions.

In his special field he served his community with fidelity. Among some of the organizations of which he was and has been a member and held official position in them are The Civil Engineers Club of the Northwest at Chicago, the Western Society of Engineers, the Michigan Engineering Society, the New England Water Works Association, Iowa Surveyors Association of Des Moines, the Iowa Civil Engineers Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Volunteer in U. S. Weather Bureau for eight years. All these honors he received though his schooling was limited to the common school and a brief time in Tabor College.

Seth Dean, second son of William and Susan Briggs Dean, was born in Lyons township in Mills county on October 20, 1851, and died in his home at Glenwood February 14, 1927.

He was united in marriage with Annah Baxter of Glenwood April 9, 1879, whose parents were Glenwood residents, having moved to the city in 1875. To the union one son, Henry H. Dean, was born. He is survived by his wife, son and two grandchildren, Betty and Robert Dean, three brothers, Harvey, Benjamin and Alvin Dean, all residents of Glenwood and vicinity. One brother, Henry, was lost at sea in the year 1883. An older brother, Paul, died in infancy.

The civil engineering business established by Mr. Dean will be continued under the direction of the son, Henry, who plans to take full personal charge in a short time.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. from the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. Wm. Schoemaker, assisted by Rev. J. F. Stille. The latter spoke briefly of the life, work and character of the deceased as learned by 40 years of acquaintanceship. Music for the service was by Mrs. Helen Sullivan as soloist and Mrs. Myatt at organ. The pallbearers were of his Masonic fraternity, George Masters, Will and Homer Daniel, C. C. Colbert, Clyde Genung, S. C. Davis.

At the funeral the Masonic order members of lodges adjacent to Glenwood, of the Ivanhoe Commandery No. 17, Council Bluffs, and of the Glenwood lodge attended in a body and gave the lodge ceremony at the grave.

Most of the business places in Glenwood were closed during the funeral hours out of respect to the deceased as a citizen.

The Sir Knights of Ivanhoe Commandery of Council Bluffs present were Mr. Ford, commander; Mr. Hart, captain general; Mr. Groneweg, S. W.; Mr. Durfee, P. Commander, and Knight Mr. Child and son. There came to the services men from nearly every community in the county.