William Oliver DEAN

DEAN, BEISELL, SPITLER, BEAVER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/11/2014 at 15:28:04

January 14, 1836 --- December 12, 1913

W. O. Dean died Friday, Dec. 12th, at his home at this place after a prolonged illness with heart and stomach trouble. He was 78 years of age. He was a veteran of the Civil war and a pioneer settler of this place. As a neighbor and citizen he was highly respected. Since the death of his wife several years since his home has been kept by his niece Miss Ida Dean, who has served him well during his days of suffering and old age. The deceased leaves three children, Mrs. Lem Beisell of Mabel, Oregon, Mrs. A. B. Beisell of this place and Will Dean of Minneapolis, besides many other relatives and friends to mourn his death. The funeral services were held at the M. E. church Sunday afternoon in charge of the pastor Rev. N. Pye. The sermon was given by Rev. J. S. Nicholson of the Baptist church. A male quartette, Messers. Beveridge, Cunningham, Martin and James, sang several numbers. The G. A. R. post of this place assisted with the services at the cemetery. Burial was at the Goldfield cemetery.

Wright County Monitor -- Clarion, Iowa
December 17, 1913

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Mrs. Spitler of Clarion, W. H. Dean of Minneapolis, W. D. Beisell of Ames, Mrs. Jonas Beaver of Fort Dodge, and Wm. Beaver of Marshalltown were relatives from out of town who attended the funeral services for W. O. Dean.
Mrs. Chas. Spitler was called to Goldfield Friday by the death of her uncle W. O. Dean, who was one of the oldest residents, having located in Liberty township in 1855. He was 78 years of age.

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Another Pioneer Gone
W. O. Dean, one of the earliest settlers of this community, died last Friday at his home here after an illness from heart and stomach trouble from which he has suffered at times for the past few years. His last sickness was severe from the start and for a week the end had been expected.

William O. Dean was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on January 16th, 1835 and died December 12, 1913. Age 78 years, 10 months, and 26 days. His father and mother, David and Martha Dean came of that sturdy stock of pioneers who long ago made the Green Mountains famous. This family like most of such families gradually wended their way westward and after having lived at Michigan City, Indiana and later located in Wright county, Iowa in the fall of 1854. After much the same life as befell other early settlers, W. O. Dean on the 16th day of August, 1862 enlisted as a private in Co. A., 32nd Iowa Infantry for three years or during the war and was discharged for disability at Cape Girardeau, Missouri on August 16, 1863. In 1865 Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Elizabeth Beaver and from this union three children were born: Jennie, now Mrs. L. Beisell of Bandon, Oregon: Ida, now Mrs. A. B. Beisell of Goldfield; and W. H. Dean of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mrs. Dean died July 27, 1899.

From 1865 to 1878 he was engaged in farming in Liberty township and at the latter date emigrated to Jefferson county Kansas returning here in 1880. In 1881 the late home was built and during the remainder of his life he devoted his time to his trade as a carpenter. Since the death of Mr. Dean's wife, Miss Ida Dean has for over fourteen years faithfully served as his housekeeper. In the last years of his life when he suffered much from sickness Miss Dean has cared for him constantly.

Mr. Dean was a man whom all the community respected for his good citizenship, honesty and upright life. Funeral services were held at the M. E. church Sunday afternoon. Rev. J. S. Nicholson of the Baptist church preached an excellent sermon and was assisted in the service by the Rev. Nathaniel Pye of the Methodist church. A male quartette furnished appropriate music. The G. A. R. Post, of which the deceased was an honored member, attended the services. A large congregation of friends and relatives were present to pay last tribute to the departed. Burial took place at the family lot in Glenwood Cemetery.