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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HENRY M. DEAN. One of the prominent business establishments of the city of Niles is the drug store of H. M. Dean & Son, where may be found a complete stock of drugs, paints, oils, etc. The senior member of this firm, and the subject of our sketch, enjoys the distinction of having been engaged in the drug business for a longer period than any other man in the western part of the State. He is a skillful and educated pharmacist, and brings to the prosecution of the business an accurate knowledge of its details, and a careful supervision of its transactions, which have secured for the establishment a first-class reputation.

The early home of Mr. Dean was in New Jersey, in sight of the city of New York, where he was born on the 28th of December, 1831. His parents, Daniel and Cornelia (Green) Dean, were both natives of New Jersey, and the former was a shoe manufacturer, jobbing principally for the Southern trade. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Dean, was born in the city of New York, and was the son of Capt. Alexander Dean, of the British navy. The mother of our subject was the daughter of Joseph Green, whose ancestors settled in Connecticut in 1660, and were of English descent.

Henry M. Dean represents the seventh generation of the Green family in the United States, and the third generation on the Dean side. His school days were passed in his native New Jersey, and at the age of sixteen he came to Michigan, locating at Niles in 1848. Soon after coming here he was appointed Deputy Postmaster at Niles, and served in that position for one year, rendering satisfactory service in that office. His next position was that of clerk in the drug store of J. C. Larimore, where he remained until 1860. In that year he formed a partnership with J. C. Larimore, and embarked in the drug business under the firm name of Larimore & Dean, continuing in that connection until 1888, when Mr. Dean purchased his partner’s interest. Taking his son, Frederick C, into the firm, the title was changed to H. M. Dean & Son. In 1890, Fred C. retired, and Henry M., Jr., entered the firm, the title remaining unchanged.

In 1861 Mr. Dean married Miss Sarah, daughter of Ezra Coan, of Albion, N. Y. They are the parents of three sons and one daughter, namely: Frederick C., William M., Henry M., Jr., and Fanny M. In politics, Mr. Dean is a Republican. He has been elected to many posts of honor, in all of which he has labored unselfishly for the good of the community and the promotion of the interests of the city. He served for one term as Mayor of Niles, and has been a member of the Board of Education for twelve years, being its President a portion of the time. He is a stock-holder and Director of the Citizens’ National Bank of Niles. In his social affiliations, he is identified with St. Joseph Valley Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A.M. A devoted and earnest Christian, he holds membership with the Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as Trustee for thirty years, Treasurer for two years, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school for three terms. For one year he served as President of the Berrien County Pioneer Association, of which he is an honored member.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Berrien County, Michigan family biographies here: Berrien County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Berrien County, Michigan here: Berrien County Michigan Map

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