| George M. Dean |
| Geo. M. Dean, dealer in agricultural
implements, Waukon, was born in South Glastenburg, Conn.,
Feb. 22, 1825, and was brought up to the business of
manufacturing cotton goods. In the spring of 1850 came to
Quincy, Ill., bringing the necessary machinery with him
from New England, and built and operated the first cotton
factory with power ever built in Illinois. In the fall of
1853 he bought a farm in Allamakee Co., on sec. 23, Union
Prairie Township. In 1857 was elected county judge, and
served as such until Jan. 1, 1860. During his official
term as county judge he built the combined courthouse and
jail at Waukon. In 1863 was appointed by the governor of
Iowa as draft commissioner of Allamakee Co. The same year
he recruited a company of 100 men for three years, or
during the war, and Nov. 30, 1863, was mustered into the
service with them as captain of Co. E, 9th Io. Cavalry.
Vol., serving as such until the close of the war, when
they were mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in 1866. The
same year he located in business in Waukon. Was a charter
member of both the Lansing and Waukon Lodges A. F. &
A. M. Upon the erection of a telegraph line to Waukon he
happened to receive the first commercial dispatch sent
over the line. Oct. 26, 1851, Mr. Dean was married to
Jane E. Hollister, and has children living. pg 483 |