"Jennie Dean...was born April 8th, 1837, at the farm homestead in Livonia township. She was the thirteenth child of Gabriel and Lydia Bradner Dean. Of her brothers and sisters she was the only one born in Michigan, all the others having as their place of birth the state of New York, from which the family emigrated in 1836. Her father was a soldier of the war of 1812 and her grandfather, David Dean, of the war of the Revolution.
   Miss Dean attended the State Normal College at Ypsilanti and was graduated from it in 1860. In her early youth she made a profession of religion and became deeply interested in the welfare and up building of the Kingdom of God. She felt the call of the Master and decided to consecrate her life to His service. In 1869 she went to Persia as a missionary and continued there for thirty years, with the exception of two periods when she returned home for the purpose of rest and recuperation. Her first work was under the auspices of the American Mission Board of the Presbyterian church, but six years later the Board of the Northwest was founded and took over her support.
   Miss Dean was connected during the entire period of her missionary activity with Fiske Seminary, a protestant Mission school, supported by the Presbyterian church, at Oroomiah, Persia, first as a teach and later as first principal. This centre was the headquarters for all the missionary interests of the Presbyterian church in Persia. After long years of usefulness, her health not permitting her further stay in Persia, she returned to America, taking up her residence in Detroit. She identified herself with the Westminster Presbyterian church there and remained a member until her death. During these later years, until entirely incapacated for such endeavor, she continually gave of her time and energy in aiding missionary and settlement work, as opportunity offered. She was held in high esteem and affection.
   Miss Dean was a person of winsome personality, of high resolve and deep religious conviction. She willingly gave her life in the service of the Master. Surely she has gone to her reward."
                 Transcribed by Troy S.