T. L. DEAN, physician and surgeon, son of Alexander and Nancy (Hughes) Dean, was born in Caldwell County, Ky., October 16, 1833. Subject's grandfather was Job Dean, a native of North Carolina. He came to Kentucky many years ago, settling in Caldwell County, were he was killed, in 1804, by being thrown from a horse. Subject's maternal ancestors were from South Carolina; his grandfather, William Hughes, immigrated to Kentucky from South Carolina in 1808, and settled in Crittenden County, about six miles northeast of Marion. He died about 1847. His daughter, Mrs. Dean, was born in 1811, and died in 1860. Alexander Dean was born in January, 1801, in Caldwell County, where he lived until his removal to this county in 1836. He settled six miles north of Marion on a farm now in possession of his sons, and was a resident of this county until his death, in 1879. He took an active part in the county organization, and was a member of the first grand jury ever impaneled in the county. Dr. Dean is the eldest of a family of eight children, born to Alexander and Nancy Dean. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the common schools and later attended the Bethlehem Academy in Caldwell County several sessions. On attaining his majority he commenced farming in Crittenden County, which vocation he followed until 1857, when he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. J. A. Hodge, of Marion, remaining in his office at intervals for three years. He entered the St. Louis Medical college some time in 1857, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1859. After graduation he settled in Marion, in the practice of his profession, and here remained until 1869, when he moved to the country, where he practiced three years. In 1872 he moved to Illinois, settling in the town of Rose Clare, Hardin County, where he engaged in the drug business, which he carried on in connection with his profession for two years, and in 1874 he went to Elizabethtown, Ill., where he resided one year. He moved to Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Ill., in 1875, remaining there until 1877, when he came back to Marion, which has since been his home. He was married August 12, 1863, to Mary C. Minner, daughter of Harvey Minner, of Crittenden County. Seven children were the result of this union: Charles P., P. K., Harvey, Nellie, Alexander (deceased), Joseph M. and Robert (deceased). Mrs. Dean died August, 1876, at the age of thirty-five years. The Doctor's second marriage took place April 16, 1879, in Greenville, Ky., to Nannie C. McIntire, of Muhlenburg County. She died April 6, 1883, aged forty-eight years. May 7, 1883, Dr. Dean married Miss Bettie Linthicum, daughter of Dr. R. L. Linthicum of Henderson County, Ky. Dr. Dean has a very large practice in Crittenden County, and the adjoining counties, and his professional career has been eminently successful. He has been a member of the Democratic party for many years, but is now a stanch Prohibitionist. He belongs to the K. of H., and is an active member of the Presbytrian Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 726-727.