"Francis Dean, Cowlitz Pioneer, Dies"
Francis Dean, who located in Lewis county at the north of Cowlitz prairie late in the sixties, died at a Vancouver hospital Friday night, May 16. He was 88 years of age and a veteran of the Civil war. Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at St. Joseph's Catholic church at Vancouver, after which the body was brought to historic Cowlitz Mission cemetery on Cowlitz prairie, for burial beside Mrs. Dean, whose death occurred about 25 years ago. Mr. Dean was born in Ireland and came to the United States when a young man. He was a soldier in the regular army when the Civil war began and served during the entire was in the Union army. Later his regiment was sent to Alaska, being afterwards transferred to San Juan Island, where it was stationed during the historic boundary dispute. Following his discharge from the army he lived for a time on San Juan Island before coming to make his home on Cowlitz, where he resided about 25 years. Following Mrs. Dean's death Mr. Dean moved to Vancouver, where he had since resided. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Samuel J. Saindon of Chehalis, who recently moved to California, but who returned for the funeral; and Mrs. Mary E. Young, wife of Phillip Young of Yakima; also 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mr. Dean always took an active interest in the affairs of his community, besides holding public offices in both San Juan and Lewis counties. He was a man of sterling character and his friends were many. The funeral was attended by many of his Vancouver friends.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 23 May 1930, page 3.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.
Editor's note: Francis Dean and his wife Catherine are listed on the transcription of burials at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Cemetery (a.k.a. Cowlitz Mission).