Arthur Phelan Dean (1858-1923)

DEAN, BECKLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 1/19/2015 at 17:54:20

From the True Republican September 15, 1923

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF LATE ARTHUR DEAN

Former Sycamore Boy Was Mayor, Prominent in Church Work and Counselor in Public Affairs and Highly Esteemed at Nevada, Iowa

Of the life and character and death of Arthur Dean, who was born in Sycamore and here grew to manhood, a son of the late Moses Dean, prominent pioneer, land owner, banker and former mayor of Sycamore, the Nevada ( Iowa ) Evening Journal of September 5 says:

The funeral services for Arthur Dean, who died at 8:30 Monday morning at Rochester, Minn. will be held from Memorial Lutheran church Friday morning at 10:00, after which interment will be in the Nevada cemetery by the side of his wife who passed away about two years ago.

The body arrived here Monday night over the Rock Island, accompanied by his son J. George Dean and wife and daughter, Miss Caroline, who were with him when he was called by death. The son Byron M. Dean is expected from Portland, Oregon, where he has had his home for some years, on Thursday noon.

The death of Mr. Dean came as a distinct shock to the community and to his many friends in various pares of Iowa and in Illinois. While he bad not been well for some time his condition was not regarded as serious until a couple of weeks ago. He, with his daughter, left a week ago Monday for Rochester. He collapsed while going through the clinic a few days later and it was realized then that the end was near.

The friends will be given an opportunity of viewing the body at the home from 9 a . m . to 1 p. m . on Thursday, but the casket will not be opened thereafter. The following obituary, prepared by his pastor, and very dear friend, Dr. C. N. Swihart, will be read at the service:

Arthur Dean was born near Sycamore, Ill., Aug. 24, 1858. He was united in marriage to Miss Frances Beckler at Sycamore, Ill., Feb. 3, 1880, in the Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Dean was a member.

The children born to this union were Byron M., of Portland, Ore.; Harry A., (deceased); Caroline M. and J. George, both of Nevada. The grandchildren are Edwin W. Dean and Mary Frances Dean. Of the three daughters and two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Dean, Arthur was the last.

"Since the death of Mrs. Dean, Oct. 22, 1922, Mr. Dean has spent much of his time in travel, just recently, returning from the east.

"Mr. Dean's keen and kindly personality and jovial disposition made him friends wherever he went. His adaptability and ability made him very much in demand when ever there was leadership or work desired. He served as mayor of the city and as a member of the council and school board. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity; Des Moines consistory; I. O. O. F.; Musrovites; Knights of Pythias, and Sons of the American Revolution.

One of his greatest delights was to be active in his church. His part in Memorial Lutheran church of Nevada, of which he was a member, with which he united by baptism on Jan . 1, 1897, will stand as a monument for all time to come. His position as superintendent of the Sunday school was filled with distinction and efficiency.

His part in the church at large always afforded him special pleasure. For many years he served on the Synodical Mission committee, of which he was treasurer. He was director of the Nachusa orphanage , Nachusa, Ill. He was a delegate to the National conventions of the church many times, also a delegate to the state conventions oftener perhaps than any other one layman in the Synod in the past two years . His skill and splendid judgment with an ability to reach rapid conclusions made him a wonderful asset in any meeting.