JOHN WESLEY DEAN & LUCINDA FOSTER DEAN/IDA ADAIR DEAN FAMILY: (from "The Dean Family," by Gloria Borgsmiller & Lucy Kehmeier)
John Wesley Dean b 13 Dec 1833 in Franklin County, TN d May 6, 1918 in Grand Saline, TX.
He moved with his family to Benton County, AR around 1837.
John Wesley grew up on the old Dean Homestead family farm near Pea Ridge. Like most young boys in the late 1830's, he helped his father with the chores around the family farm.
He met and later married Lucinda Foster on his birthday, 13 Dec 1855 in Benton County, AR. He was 22 and she was 19. She was b 07 Sep 1835 in Wilson, TN; d 22 Apr 1886 in Brownwood, Brown County, TX. Her parents were Robert Mitchell Foster, Jr. and Nancy Ann (Harmon) Foster.
Sometime after their marriage John Wesley and Lucinda acquired themselves a farm near Pea Ridge, where he farmed the land and she tended the household chores and cared for their children.
The 1860, 1870, 1880 census records show John Wesley Dean's family living in Sugar Creek Township, Benton County, AR.
John Wesley and Lucinda were charter members of the Twelve Corners Church when it was held in the upstairs of Elkhorn Tavern. Later the log church was built on land donated by John and Margaret (Martin) Buttry. The present church is still on the original land.
US Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 show John W. Dean a Confederate Regiment, Origin: Arkansas, Regiment Name: 35 Arkansas Infantry Regiment, Company F, Rank in: Private, Rank Out: Sergeant, Film Number: M376 roll 6.
CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
From the beginning of this nation the issue of slavery had been a topic of considerable debate. By the late 1850's, the nation as well as the State of AR, was bitterly divided over the slavery issue. Since most residents of Benton County were pro slavery and satisfied with the status quo, by 1859 the issue soon became hotly debated by both the pro slavery and abolitionists advocates. When it became apparent the nation was going to war over the slavery issue, most of the men of Benton County joined the Confederate Army and marched off to fight in this nation's bloodiest war. After four years of fighting, the war finally ended. Many Benton County men never returned, including several in the Forsyth and Dean families.
When the war began AR joined the Confederacy and seceded from the Union of the United States of America. Being southern sympathizers, John Wesley Dean, his three brothers, William Barnett, James Polk and Lewis Calloway Dean, his brothers-in-law, Mark Martin, William Henry and Jones Bailey Forsyth, Levi H. Arnold, and James Madison "Matt" Hale, the husband of John Wesley's sister, Mary Ann "Mollie" Dean Hale, all joined the Confederate Army and fought in some of this nation's most significant battles.
When AR seceded from the Union, a Confederate Army camp was organized near the small community known as Cross Hollows, north of Bentonville, in Benton County, AR. There according to his Civil War record, in 1861 John Wesley and his brother, William Barnett enlisted in the Army of the Confederate States of America.
When he enlisted John Wesley was assigned to Company "F", 35th AR Cavalry, which later was reorganized and became known as the 1st regiment (Rector's) AR infantry. After several battles and the loss of many lives, the 1st regiment (Rector's) AR infantry was reorganized and became known as King's Regiment, AR infantry.
During the first battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi King's regiment was nearly decimated and was immediately merged into McCord's regiment of the AR infantry. After the battle, McCord's regiment was reorganized and became known as the 23rd regiment, AR Infantry and remained intact throughout the duration of the Civil War.
In the Civil War records John Wesley was recorded as Private J.W. Dean when he enlisted and as Sergeant J.W. Dean when discharged.
In the early stages of the Civil War AR and Iowa were considered to be pivotal states because the Union Army in order to ship men and supplies safely from New Orleans to St. Louis, deemed it necessary to control both sides of the mighty Mississippi River. In Early 1861, the Union Army was in control of St. Louis. The Confederate Army was massing troops southwest of Springfield, MO and preparing for their first assault on the Union forces.
In November 1861, the Confederate Army, including John Wesley's regiment, under the command of Confederate General Sterling Price, surprised the Union Army at Wilson's Creek, Southwest of Springfield, MO. In the first battle fought in the State of Missouri, the Confederates easily defeated the Union Army. In December 1861 the reinforced Union Army launched a counterattack, and drove the Confederates back across the Missouri-Arkansas Border into Benton County, AR. After suffering major casualties during the battle, both sides retired to their winter camps and made plans for the upcoming battles to be fought in the coming spring.
During the winter of 1861 General Price returned to MO and assumed command of the MO Home Guards. He was replaced by Confederate General Van Horn who immediately reinforced his troops to over 16,000 men. Then he and his troops camped on a ridge known as Pea Ridge, overlooking the Elk Horn Tavern in Benton County, AR. Included in the reinforcements was John Wesley Dean's regiment, Company "F", the 35the AR Cavalry.
In late February 1862, the Union Army crossed a small creek known as Little Sugar Creek in Benton County, AR and then sent out several scouts who located the Confederates still in their camp at Elk Horn Tavern. The reinforced Union Army then waited until 6 March 1862 and on this date, they surprised and attacked the Confederates at Elk Horn Tavern. During the next four days, the Union and Confederate Armies battled for control of the Pea Ridge Area in Benton County, AR. Finally, on 8 March 1861 after suffering 800 to 1,000 casualties, General Van Horn realized his Confederate Army was defeated, and ordered his troops to retreat. Defeated in only their second battle, most of the Confederate Regiments retreated south to Van Buren, AR where they reorganized and waited for further orders.
The Battle of Pea Ridge, AR, also known as the Battle of Elk Horn Tavern, lasted well over one week. Until the second Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1863 it was recorded as the bloodiest and most costly battle fought west of the Mississippi River. According to the Civil War records, John Wesley Dean, his three brothers and five brothers-in-law, all participated in the bloody four day Battle of Pea Ridge, the most significant battle fought in Northwest Arkansas.
After the Civil War ended on the 6th day of March the citizens of Benton County met at the site of the Pea Ridge Battle and held commemorative services for the men who fought and died there. On 9 July 1887, the citizens of Benton County held a meeting and made plans to erect a monument to their fellow citizens who fought and died in the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR. The meeting was successful and on 1 Sept 1887 a monument was erected and dedicated to the brave men who gave their lives during the Battle of Pea Ridge.
On 8 Aug 1908 after a gala celebration commemorating the Confederate cause another monument with the replica of a Confederate Soldier was dedicated and erected in the city square in Bentonville the County Seat of Benton County, AR.
In 1914 the citizens of Benton County through their elected representative in Congress introduced a bill designating the Pea Ridge Battlefield a National Historical Site. The Bill was introduced in the Congress of the United States. Unfortunately it failed to reach the floor of the House of Representatives and was never voted on. Again in 1936 another Bill was introduced in the Congress, and like its predecessor, it also failed to reach the floor for a vote.
Finally, on 25 Jan 1956, ninety-four years after the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR Senator William Fulbright sponsored a Bill designating the Pea Ridge Battlefield as a National Historical Park Site. Senator Fulbright then gave the Bill his personal blessing and guided it to the floor of Congress where it received unanimous passage. The Pea Ridge Battlefield, now designated as a National Historical Site is visited each year by many tourists who come to Benton County, AR.
In Oct 1862 John Wesley and his younger brother, William Barnett fought in the first Battle of Corinth, Mississippi. According to the Battlefield casualty reports, William Barnett was slightly wounded. John Wesley apparently escaped the Battle unscathed because his name was not recorded in the casualty reports.
After the First Battle of Corinth in Jan 1863, John Wesley and his regiment returned to Benton County, AR and while there John Wesley was allowed to return home for a brief visit with his family. In May 1863 the Union Army was advancing toward Baker's Creek, Mississippi and John Wesley's regiment was then sent to help defend the Confederate position there. The Union Army defeated the Confederates at Baker's Creek. John Wesley and his brother-in-law, Mark Martin Forsyth apparently escaped unscathed because they were not recorded as Prisoners taken during the battle.
FARMER AGAIN
In 1865 the Civil War finally ended and John Wesley returned home to Pea Ridge, Benton County, AR. After returning there he then resumed his usual occupation of farming the land.
Know all men by these present that we, John W. Dean & Lucinda his wife hath this day bargained & sold & do herby transfer and convey to Robert M. Foster his heirs & assign a certain track or parcel of land in the County of Benton & State of Arkansas a part of the N.E. quarter of Section 20 seven township 21 N of R 29 west bounded beginning at a stake 16 poles with the bearing of the original survey of the S. E. corner of the above named quarter section thence west with the bearing 140 4 poles to a stake in the center of the section 27 thence N with the bearings 67 poles to a stake thence east with the bearings 133 poles to a stake thence south 21 degrees east 32 poles to a stake thence south 13 degrees east 38 poles to the beginning containing 60 acres more as up for the consideration of $300 to me paid I (hunt ?) myself my heirs and representation to warrant & forever defend the title thereof to the said Robert M. Foster his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons in witness I here with see my hand for seal this 24 day of Sept 1867.
Signed J.W. Dean (with seal)
In the 1880 census James Porter, Caldona Dean and baby along with Oscar Theodore Dean are living with John Wesley & family in Sugar Creek Township, Benton, AR.
MOVE TO TEXAS, LUCINDA'S DEATH
15 wagons went to Brown County, TX in 1885 because Lucinda was sick and the Doc thought travel would help. Approximately one year after arriving in Brownwood, TX Lucinda suffered a heart attack. Family records indicate Lucinda suffered from attacks of "heart flutters" and severe gastritis during her entire life. After arriving in Brownwood her condition improved and she continued to keep house and care for the Dean family children. In late 1885 she again suffered heart flutters and gastritis and by Jan 1886 her condition had steadily worsened.
In early Feb 1886 Lucinda complained of severe stomach cramps, and after enduring the pain for several days she was then forced to remain in bed. After several days in bed her condition steadily worsened and her family then realized her condition was extremely serious. In early April Lucinda's condition further deteriorated and she was continually cared for by her children. Because of her lingering stomach ailment she refused to eat or drink and after three weeks with no food and very little water, she grew extremely weak and dehydrated. During the subsequent days her condition further worsened and on 22 April 1886 she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.
During the weeks preceding her death, Lucinda also suffered spells of delusion. She apparently knew her death was imminent because in a letter written by John Wesley to his son, Calloway, John acknowledges the fact that "Ma is dead, she died 22 April and before she died she told us that she knew she was dying and was prepared to meet her maker."
At the time of her death Lucinda was 50 years old. The exact place of death and burial is unknown because her name is not recorded in the Brown County Cemetery records.
Letter dated April 24, 1886 from C.P. Dean to L.P. Foster states, "This leaves us all heartbroken—Ma is dead. She is gone. She died the 22nd of this month--". This letter was from Brownwood, TX.
Handwritten letters by John W. from Wills Point, Brownwood, TX describe "the pleasant weather---though times is close and hard—feed is high—corn is 75 cents, oats 50 cents and scearse—potatoes 1.50 a bushel to plant—and a plea to home folks to write, write—" Letter dated February 21, 1887.
Several old letters written by John Wesley to his relatives in Benton County, AR indicates after arriving in Brown County, TX he harvested an abundant crop and his cattle were getting fat on the plentiful grass. By 1886 the letters indicate a radical change because he states the weather had been extremely hot, the water had dried up, and all the crops and grazing land were burnt beyond belief. In these old letters John describes his personal feelings concerning his Dean family's relationship to one another. He never mentioned where he and his family buried his wife, Lucinda. He also describes nearly all their family happenings in Brown County, TX and even admonishes his son, Calloway to repay a $100.00 loan he (Calloway) had borrowed from a local farmer.
After Lucinda's death John Wesley struggled to keep his family together. Times were rough in West TX and eventually, he moved to Van Zandt County, TX to be near his parents, who had moved there after John left Benton County, AR. Between May 1886 and Feb 1887 John Wesley is in Wills Point, TX.
John Wesley's son, James Porter Stanford remained in Brown County, TX only a few months after his mother's death, he then moved with his family to Van Zandt County, TX. Evidently James followed his father's younger brothers and sister Robert Alexander and Henry Lafayette, and Mary Ann "Mollie" (Dean) Hale to Van Zandt County where each had moved in the late 1870's.
John Wesley remained in Brown County, TX until 1889. He soon found it very difficult to raise his children without the help of his wife. So he and his four children, William Franklin, Richard Hulan, Mary Estella "Minnie" and Albert Marsalis packed their belongings and followed the rest of the Dean clan to Van Zandt County, TX. After arriving in Van Zandt County, John Wesley and his children resided with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann "Mollie" and James Madison "Matt" Hale, in Wills Point, TX. There John worked as a sharecropper for several local farmers and also helped his brother-in-law in the Hale family furniture store.
MARRIAGE TO IDA PRICE
Shortly after arriving in Van Zandt County, John Wesley met and in Dec 1889 married a local widow, Ida Mary (Adair) Price. According to the Van Zandt County marriage records, John and Ida were married there on 19 Dec 1889. According to these marriage records they were married one day after John's children, Richard Hulan and Mary Estella "Minnie" married their respective spouses. Ida was born 14 Sept 1858 near the Bascobal Township in Jackson County, GA. Her parents were Samuel Jackson and Mary Adair.
After their marriage John & Ida resided in Van Zandt County, TX and there they became the parents of two known children; Vivian and Evelyn. Both children were born on the old Dean Family farm located between Wills Point and Grand Saline in Van Zandt County, TX and John was 58 when Vivian was born and 62 when Evelyn was born.
A deed dated Apr 4, 1890 shows John W bought 160 acres 5 miles N.E. of Wills Point, TX for $4800.00 from J.H. and M.A. Jackson in Van Zandt Co, TX.
In the late 1890's John Wesley and Ida purchased a farm and moved with their family to Hopkins County, TX. The farm was located near Grand Saline in Van Zandt County, TX. It was situated just inside the Hopkins County Line, thus John and his family was recorded as residents of Hopkins County, TX. John Wesley and Ida are recorded in the 1900 Hopkins County, TX census report living in Precinct #7 with their two daughters, Vivian and Evaline (SIC). In this 1900 census John and Ida reported that each had previously been married. Ida did not report any children being born during her previous marriage. Their home in 1900 was Justice Precinct 7, Hopkins, Texas.
Sometime prior to 1900 John Wesley moved to Newfield, Tompkins County, New York as evidenced by a deed filed in Deed Book #70 on pages #638-640 of the Van Zandt County, TX Deed Records. This deed recorded on 17 July 1900 shows John as the purchaser of 131 acres of land in Van Zandt County, TX from the Eno & Bunnell Investment Company (original patented to John R. Taylor) for land in Kaufman and Van Zandt County's. The purchase price was recorded as $600.00 and in this deed he was recorded as a resident of Newfield, Tompkins County, New York. The transaction was made through the U.S. Mail and John was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania where on 17 July 1900, he had all the paperwork notarized. The reason John moved to New York and was located in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania is unknown. His residency there was apparently short lived because the Dean family records and subsequent Van Zandt County records indicate by early 1900 he had returned to Texas.
Between 1900 and 1910 John apparently returned from New York to Texas because he is next recorded in the 1910 Van Zandt County, Texas census report living in Grand Saline, TX with his wife, Ida and two minor daughters, Vivian and Evaline (SIC) . In this census John's occupation was as usual recorded as a farmer.
RETIREMENT AND DEATH
John Wesley Dean's final years were spent in Grand Saline, TX. Due to his advanced age he was forced to retire from active farming. He and Ida lived near his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and William Starrett Booe. Here he planted and raised a family garden for himself and his daughter. John's son-in-law, William operated a local meat market and grocery store in Grand Saline for many years, and it is reported that during his retirement he worked there part time.
After his retirement, each morning he walked the short distance into Grand Saline and visited there with the other retired farmers. He quickly grew tired of this daily routine because he considered sitting around waiting for the Grim Reaper to call to be a waste of his precious time. Each spring John planted himself a garden and each day could be found working here in the hot Texas sun. It is reported that he often used the phrase, "Never Put off till tomorrow, that which you can do today," and he often became angry whenever he heard some say, "I'll do that tomorrow."
John was often heard to remark that he felt people who procrastinated were usually lazy and never amounted to a hill of beans. John Wesley resided until his death in Grand Saline, TX and was apparently in good health until the day he died because his obituary indicates he died while loading watermelons on to a wagon. According to his obituary he was 84 years old when he died on 6 May 1918 at his home in Grand Saline, Van Zandt County, TX. The obituary also reports he died at 8:30 am and was buried on 7 May 1918 in the Woodside Cemetery, in Grand Saline.
IDA'S REMARIAGE AND DEATH
After John Wesley's death, his widow, Ida Mary and her youngest daughter Evelyn lived in Grand Saline with the family of Ida's oldest daughter and son-in-law, Vivian and Charles Franklin Mathews. In Dec 1918 Ida's youngest daughter, Evelyn married William Marion Summers in Van Zandt County, TX and Ida then moved into their home and lived with them until early 1920 when Evelyn and William moved to Ranger in Eastland County, TX. Then she continued living with the Booe family in Grand Saline, TX. Fact confirmed by the 1920 Van Zandt County, TX census report where Ida M. Dean was recorded as a widow living in the W.S. Booe household in Grand Saline, TX.
Sometime in early 1924 Ida met Marshall E. Horn a widower who lived near the Hiram and Pleasant Valley Communities in Kaufman County, TX. He was a well-respected businessman and farmer. Shortly after they met he proposed marriage to Ida. According to the marriage records of Van Zandt County, TX Mrs. Ida M. Dean married M.E. Horn on 15 June 1924 in Canton, Van Zandt County, TX. They resided on the old Horn Homestead farm until Ida's death in 1929.
As a resident of Kaufman County, Ida often returned to Wills Point and Grand Saline and there visited with her family and friends. In early Jan 1929 while on a visit to shop in the stores in Wills Point, TX Ida Mary suddenly became extremely ill. After becoming ill, Ida was immediately taken to the home of a friend in Wills Point and a physician was summoned. The physician was unable to determine the cause of her ailment. Ida's condition worsened and fearing for her survival the physician then advised her family not to move her from the home of her friend. During the ensuing ten days Ida's condition remained unchanged and because she was considered too sick to be moved, she remained at her friend's home. After several examinations the physician finally diagnosed Ida's condition as acute heart failure and advised the family to be prepared for her impending death. During this era, Ida's heartbeat became steadily weaker and her condition grew steadily worse. When death appeared imminent her family members were summoned to her bedside. After gathering at Ida's bedside each of her family members spoke words of encouragement to her, but she failed to recognize anyone and died a few days later.
Ida Mary (Adair) Dean Horn died in Wills Point, TX on 18 Jan 1929 at age 70. Marshall E. Horn never remarried and he died on 9 Aug 1934 at the Old Horn Homestead Farm. He was 69. Ida and Marshall Horn were buried side by side in the Horn Family plot in the Locust Grove Cemetery located in the Hiram Community in Kaufman County, TX.
John & Lucinda's children:
1 Nancy Siera (Sara) b 7 Dec 1857 in AR
2 Caloway Perry Vine b 22 July 1859 in AR
3 James Porter Stanford b 23 Feb 1861 in AR
4 William Franklin b 21 Sep 1862 in AR
5 Hulan Richard b 4 June 1869 in AR
6 Mary Estella "Minnie" b 4 Jan 1872 in AR
7 Albert Marsalis (Morrison) b 4 March 1874 in AR
John & Ida's children:
1 Vivian b 6 Sep 1892 in Grand Saline, TX-1940 married Charles Mathews, buried at Pioneer Cemetery, Ranger, Eastland, Texas
2 Evaline/Evelyn b 13 March 1896 in Grand Saline, TX-1976 married William Summers