Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM DEAN
The Palo Alto planning mill is one of the chief sources of production in the town for which it is named, and its owner and proprietor, William Dean, is a typical example of the western business man of energy and resource who has worked his way up from the bottom round of the ladder, winning success by his zeal, perseverance and integrity. He was born in Madison, Wis., October 8, 1860. Mr. Dean is of English parentage, and thus far in his career has evidenced the unmistakable traits which have brought to the land across the sea unbounded prestige on sea and land. His parents, Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Brockelhurst) Dean, were born in Cheshire, England, were married in their native land, and when they came to America in 1847 brought their family of two children, to which were later added eight. Locating in Madison, Wis., Thomas Dean availed himself of the timbered condition of his land, and engaged in sawmilling on a small scale, being thus employed up to the time of his death at the age of sixty-seven. He was an active member of the Congregational church, as was also his wife, who lived to be sixty-three years old.
As a youth William Dean worked in his father’s sawmill, and at the same time attended the public schools where he gained a fair business foundation. He thoroughly learned the business of milling, and when, in 1880, he celebrated his majority by starting out in the world on his own resources, he undertook a journey to Tacoma, Wash., traveling by way of the Northern Pacific, and three hundred miles by stage-coach. He was obliged to walk a considerable part of the way, up and down mountains and through unsettled country, and arrived in Tacoma when the now prosperous frontier town was a small hamlet. For a couple of years he worked at the carpenter trade and then visited Seattle, Victoria, and Spokane Falls, eventually arriving in San Francisco, where he plied the builders’ trade with fair success. For a time he lived in Oakland, and in 1894 came to Palo Alto, and worked at building for about three years. In the meantime he had thought much about milling and awaited only a favorable opening, which presented itself in the person of H. R. Powell, with whom he entered into partnership in management of a small mill. Upon the death of Mr. Powell Mr. Dean purchased the interest of his partner, enlarged the plant, and has since conducted it on his own responsibility. At the present time it is one of the largest of its kind in the west, and the doors, windows, and inside building furnishings manufactured are shipped to San Francisco and intermediate points. There are five acres in the mill grounds, and the latest and most expeditious machinery has been installed in the plant. Mr. Dean is deserving of great credit for the building up of his business, for being able to withstand enormous competition, and for producing a grade of goods which win on their own merits. He is a thorough master of his business, is a kind and considerate employer, and in all his dealings maintains the highest business ethics. He has invested heavily in town property, owning, besides his own residence and grounds, a half interest in the Nevada building, on University avenue, valued at $25,000.
In Los Angeles, this state, Mr. Dean was united in marriage with Blanche Shaw, who was born in Nevada and reared in California, and who is the mother of a son, Leonard, aged fifteen years. Mr. Dean is a staunch adherent of Republican principles and issues, and has been active in local and state affairs, serving on the city board of trustees. He has taken a keen interest in furthering fraternal organizations in his adopted town, and is a charter member of the Palo Alto Lodge, No. 346, F. & A. M., having formerly been identified with the Madison, Wis. lodge. He is also connected with the Foresters, Woodmen of the World, Fraternal Aid, and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is popular and influential, a hustler, and promoter of business stability, and one of the most substantial and successful manufacturers in Santa Clara county.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 413-414. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.