CALOWAY DEAN is descended from an honored pioneer family of Texas, associated with this state when it was an independent republic and when it was part of Mexico. He is a leading agriculturist and stockman of Clay county and a native son of Texas, his birth having occurred in San Augustine, September 23, 1852. His parents were Caloway and Mary (Clark) Dean, both natives of Tennessee, although their marriage was celebrated in this state. The father was born January 11, 1811, and the mother’s birth occurred February 27, 1812. The paternal grandparents were John and Mary (Mash) Dean, and the great-grandfather, Joshua Dean, a native of England, served throughout the Revolutionary war, after which he settled in North Carolina. Subsequently he removed to Kentucky, where his remaining days were passed. His son, John Dean, was reared in the Blue Grass state and later went to Tennessee, where he took up his abode and reared his family, living until about 1845, when he came to Texas. His death occurred in this state in 1858, when he had reached ninety years. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming and was a man true to every obligation that devolved upon him. His children were as follows: William, James, Alford, Caloway, Mrs. Mary Hopkins, Jack, Riley (who was killed in the Mexican War in 1846), O. H. P., Asberry, Russell and Frank.
Caloway Dean, Sr., father of our subject, was reared in Tennessee and in 1835 came to Texas. Later he joined General Sam Houston’s forces and was at the capture of San Antonio, whereby Texas became a republic. He later took up his abode in San Augustine county, where he was married in 1837 and then opened up a farm there. He later engaged in merchandising, remaining at that place until 1861, in which year he removed to Smith county, where he opened up a new and large farm. He carried on agricultural pursuits extensively. In the meantime he had become a large slave owner, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he announced his allegiance to the Confederacy and sent supplies from his farm to the army. He was a member of the Texas convention which declared the secession, but was beyond military age at the time of the war, so that he did not join the army. However, he acted on detail duty and did much to assist the troops at Tyler, Texas. The war liberated his fifty slaves and his estate was largely crippled. During the siege of hostilities he had been very ready and generous in his assistance to his friends, so that at the close of hostilities he found himself sixty-six thousand dollars in debt, largely through having gone security for others. He was this forced to give up all that he had save his homestead farm. The family, however, remained together, working earnestly and persistently to recuperate their fortunes, and in his last days Mr. Dean was enabled to enjoy the fruits of his labors of life. In politics he was a very stanch Democrat and was regarded as a leading and representative citizen of San Augustine and Smith counties. He filled various offices of honor and trust in the republic, was district clerk and also clerk of the board of land commissioners. In whatever locality he lived he became a man of influence and prominence, being well fitted for leadership. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, being long identified with the organization, and was a Royal Arch Mason. He was closely associated with all of the leading men of Texas and his opinions were favorably received in matters relating to the welfare of the state. His integrity and honor were above reproach and the number of his friends was limited only by the number of his acquaintances. He passed away May 25, 1892, at the very advanced age of eighty-one years, and his wife died in 1857. She was a daughter of Barnes Clark, a native of Tennessee, who came to Texas in 1837, and settled in San Augustine, about 1840. He became a prominent and successful farmer and slave owner, a typical representative of the gentlemen of the old school, and was widely esteemed by all who knew him. In his family were eight children: Barnes, Jr.; John, J. D., I. D., Caroline, wife of Judge J. D. Berry; Mary C., who became Mrs. Dean; Mrs. Cassandra Crane, Mrs. Francois and Joan, the wife of J. Landers, and after his death married J. Kennedy. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Caloway Dean, Sr., are: R. S., who was killed in the Confederate service in the Civil War; John, who served for four years with the Confederacy; Mary, the wife of S. H. Horton; Carrie, the wife of A. F. Butler; Joan, the wife of L. Hyer; James, who died at the age of sixteen years, and Caloway. Caloway Dean, whose name introduces this review, is a native son of Texas, representing an honored pioneer family. After attending the common schools he continued his studies in Marvin College, at Waxahachie, Texas, and he remained under the parental roof until his marriage. He afterward cared for his father during the closing years of his life. In 1874, at Starrville, Smith county, Texas, Mr. Dean was joined in wedlock to Miss Lucy Boger, a lady of culture and intelligence, who was born in Georgia, in 1857, and is a daughter of Daniel C. and Teressa (Moss) Boger, who came to Texas in 1861, settling in Upshur county, where the father followed farming, operating his land with the aid of his slaves. He also handled salt at Saline for the Confederacy for four years and was on detached duty in connection with the army. He was a very prominent and influential Democrat, attended conventions of the party and worked earnestly of its success. In 1876 he cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Clay county, arriving here in November of that year. His death occurred in 1880 and thus passed away a most worthy and respected man. He was of German descent and was a member of the Lutheran church. In his family were the following children: Allen T., a farmer and stock-raiser; O. P., engaged in the same pursuit; Mrs. Dean, Martin W., Mattie E., the wife of M. J. Wicker, and Vera, who married Joseph Wicker, now deceased.
At the time of his marriage Caloway Dean was engaged in merchandising and later he turned his attention to farming, but subsequently again became connected with mercantile pursuits, which he followed for four years. In 1896 he came to Clay county and purchased the interest of the other heirs in two sections of land, whereon he yet resides. He has six hundred acres under cultivation and fine pasture lands, affording him excellent opportunity for raising stock. His entire time and attention have been given to his agricultural interests and he has placed substantial improvements upon his farm and is regarded as one of the most practical, progressive and prosperous agriculturists of the community. The home has been blessed with the following children: Richard S., born May 15, 1875; Martin C., December 2, 1876; Mabel, October 25, 1878; James C., September 24, 1880, and Forrest O., December 16, 1882. Ethel, born January 10, 1884, died at the age of one year.
Mr. Dean was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, of which he has always been an stanch advocate, and in Smith county he served for six years as county commissioner, but he is not a politician in the sense of office seeking. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and he is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. They are highly esteemed people and those who know them entertain for them warm regard. Mr. Dean is a man of excellent business ability, enterprising and determined, and in his agricultural interests is meeting with a very gratifying measure of success.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, Vol. II (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 171-173.