Judge Charles Addison Dean, one of the old and respected early settlers of Monona, is proprietor of the Pioneer Drug Store.

He was born in the little town of Champion, Jefferson County, N. Y., July 6, 1821. His paternal grandfather, in company with his brother, came from England and both participated in the War of the Revolution, the latter being on the English side, and our subject's grandfather espousing the cause of the Colonists. He located in Massachusetts, where he continued to make his home until summoned by death.

Samuel Dean, the Judge's father, was born in the Bay State, where he grew to manhood and soon afterward removed to Jefferson County, N. Y., where he was married to Effie Croul. She was born in Holland and with her parents settled in Amsterdam, N. Y., when she was a child. Her mother lived to be ninety-nine years and eleven months old, and she also attained a good old age. In 1827 Samuel Dean removed to Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y., where he engaged in business until his death. He was the father of seven children, one of whom died in infancy, the others growing to manhood and womanhood.

Judge Dean, who is the second in his father's family, was brought up in Jefferson County until his seventh year, when he removed to Oswego County and there received a common school education, subsequently attending the Mexico Academy of that county. When twenty-one years of age he made a trip to Montreal and Quebec, being in the latter city at the time of the great fire, which consumed over forty acres of buildings and created wide-spread suffering. Returning to Whitehall Mr. Dean engaged in business as a mechanic for two years, when on account of his father's health he returned to the homestead, which he took charge of and carried on successfully for about six years.

In the year 1854 as a young man he came west to grow up with the country and lived in Dubuque for some time. The following spring he came to Monona, which has since been his place of residence. As a member of the firm of Dean, Wells & Co., he engaged in the general merchandising business for a number of years, and in 1861 was appointed Postmaster of the place by President Lincoln. This position he held continuously until President Cleveland was elected. In 1867 he was elected Probate Judge of the county and served for about two years. He has long been known to be an uncompromising Republican, and when serving in an official capacity has manifested much ability and fidelity to his charge.

In June, 1851, Judge Dean married Lucretia N. French, who was born in 1830, in Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y., being of Scotch descent. They have one daughter, Annie, who is the wife of Frank D. Hinkley, of Milwaukee, City Grain Inspector. They have five children: Lucretia F., Anna D., Marie G., Cora C. and Ahira R. Judge Dean is one of the oldest business men of Monona, having operated his drug store for many years and having previously been engaged in general merchandising. He has ever been courteous to his customers, and by his upright and honorable business methods has won their respect and friendship, Our subject is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Clayton Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M., of Clayton Chapter No. 26, R. A. M., and of Honorious Commandery No. 8, K. T., and in former years was also connected with other civic societies.

~source: Portrait andBiographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties;Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pgs. 403-404
-transcribed by Becky Teubner