Husband of Sarah Ann Goltry.

OBITUARY

THE NORTH VERNON SUN
North Vernon, Indiana
Saturday, January 14, 1899

WILLIAM HARRINGTON DEAN

William Harrington Dean was born in Steuben county, New York, Nov. 9th, 1818 and died Dec. 28th, 1898, aged 80 years, 1 month and 18 days.

His father was of English descent, born in New York in 1774. His mother, Mary Manhart, was of Dutch descent and born in the same state as her husband in 1775. The subject of this sketch was the third child of a family of eight children.

At the age of 3 years his parents left Yates county, New York for the west. They went by cattle wagon to Olion Point, N. Y. on the Monongahela river going by river to Pittsburg. When that city was reached his father built a boat and brought his family down the Ohio to Marietta, Ohio.

At this point Mr. Dean's father built a mill but remained here but a short time. Building another boat the family started down the Ohio river again, landing at Lawrenceburg and located on Tyner's creek, Dearborn, county, Ind., on Congress land. The family remained there but a short time and came by ox wagon to Jennings in 1824. This was during the heated campaign when Jackson and Clay were candidates for President of the United States.

On December 10, 1849, William Dean was married to Miss Sarah Goltry at the residence of her uncle James Whitcomb. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John Vawter, Baptist minister at the Whitcomb home, now owned by Charles Wilkins.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean began housekeeping on the farm now owned by James H. Amick and lived there 2 1/2 years. They then moved to Spencer township on the land now owned by Fountain Childs. In 1850 they moved to the farm the deceased owned at his death and have lived there continuously.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dean were born 12 children, 6 sons and 6 daughters, of whom 8 are now living. 3 sons, Hickman V. and Reverdy J. of this township and James of Monroe county, Iowa. 5 daughters, Mrs. James Milton of Irvington, Ind., Mrs. Retta Coffman of Lucas county, Iowa, Mrs. Arnold Helmick, Mrs. Philmore Sutton and Mrs. Frank P. Little of this township. There are 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildre now living.

Mr. Dean was one of the oldest inhabitants in this township. When he came to this county the state road from Madison to Indianapolis had just been surveyed by John Vawter and was in green stumps. Indiana had then only 24,000 voters. The main thoroughfare of the state in Mr. Dean's early days was the old Indian boundary line from Lawrenceburg to Vincennes.

In politics Mr. Dean was a Whig till '48, then a Democrat and for 12 years a Populist. He was an ardent silverite but did not vote for Bryan and Sewell because he considered Sewell a gold bug. He had a good memory and was noted for remembering dates.

He was sick but a short time. His remains were interred in the Hulse cemetery opposite his residence. (He is actually buried in the Smith/Dean Cemetery across the road from the Hulse Cemetery.)

Obituary courtesy of Allison Howell