From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 408
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902 

C. A. DEAN 

   Mr C A Dean is a self-made man, who without an extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune.  By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward.  He is now manager of the mercantile firm carrying on business under the style of M A Webb & Company in Lyons, Kansas.  Theirs is the leading general mercantile house in Rice county and the firm is one of the most prominent in business circles in central Kansas, where for fourteen years Mr Dean has made his home, having come to Rice county in 1887.

   A native of the Buckeye state, he was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1848, and is a representative of a sturdy race of Scotch-Irish people noted through many generations for their good business ability and honesty.  Allen Dean, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Ohio and was a son of John Dean.  After arriving at years of maturity Allen Dean was united in marriage in his native state to Miss Maria Webb, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on the journey of life for many years.  She, too, was born in Ohio.  Some years after their marriage the Deans removed to Taylorville, Christian county, Illinois.  They became the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters.

   C A Dean, whose name introduces this record, was a little lad at the time of the removal to the Prairie state.  He attended its public schools and at the age of fifteen years entered upon his business career in the capacity of a clerk in a grocery store.  He was thus employed for several years, on the expiration of which period he came to Kansas, settling at Burton, on the Santa Fe railroad, where for fifteen years he was engaged in the general merchandise business.  On the expiration of that period he came to Lyons, in 1887, and his business connection with this city began as an officer in the Exchange Bank where he remained as cashier for four years.  He then became connected with the firm of Lantz, Marshall & Company and later with Dean & Webb.  This enterprise has proved of great value to the community by promoting commercial activity and has returned an excellent income to the stockholders.  The business occupies two large store-rooms, having fifty feet front and a depth of one hundred and thirty feet.  A large line of general merchandise, valued at fifty thousand dollars, is carried and includes dry goods, boots and shoes, and clothing.  Their stock is very complete in all of its departments, containing goods reaching from low to high prices and thus being such as is demanded by general trade.  Operations are carried on along lines of strict honesty, the business policy of the firm being such that commends itself to all and wins a large patronage.

   Mr Dean was united in marriage in Mascon, Illinois, to Jennie Seamans, a lady of education and good family.  Her father, James Seamans, is now deceased.  Mr and Mrs Dean have one child, Nira, now the wife of R H Benedict, of St Joseph, Missouri.  The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are deeply interested in every thing pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community.  In his political views Mr Dean is a Republican and his fellow townsmen have manifested their confidence in him by electing him city treasurer for two terms.  He is an exemplary representative of the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in his life closely follows its teachings concerning the brotherhood of mankind, mutual forbearance and mutual helpfulness.  As a business man he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable and he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.