"Father died today at 4 P.M. Clarence came up in his auto and told us. So father's 86 years of life is ended. What changes in the country and all things he has seen. Born in York State in 1828 he came with his father's family to Michigan in 1832 when the country was entirely new and crude. The family settled on a farm at Newberg. Woods were every where and Detroit was only a village. I have heard him tell of teaming to Detroit when he was a young man and the trouble with awful roads and conditions then. Indians were still in this country and I have heard him say that he had hunted with them. In 1852 he, with a party, teamed it to California over the plains and the journey took 3 months. He started on the steam cars as far as they went, which was not quite to Chicago, and at the end of the line they and their goods were thrown off in the woods. And that was as far as the rail roads went in those days, Chicago was only a few houses. He went to Sacramento, Cal. and I guess was there about 2 years and came back mostly by water, but I do not think he went around the horn. He married Lydia Joy who was a York Stater too. He ran a grocery store at Wayne, Mich. where I was born in 1868 and when I was a year old he came back and as owner, run the Nankin Mills for 15 years. Then to Northville, Mich. for 3 years and on the Fisher Farm near Plymouth for 3 years. Then to Det. and back on a farm near South Lyons, then back to Det. and Northville again, and finally to Plymouth, 5 or 6 years ago. He was not a soldier and was a Democrat all his life. Was Justice of the Peace for many years at Nankin. Was a very good man, kind and loyal to his family. I do not think he ever joined a church but was a Free Mason and believed in a God. And today ends all of that life of 86 years. It seems strange and makes me feel strange and sad. Although he was so old and died of old age, it seems strange that the end must come sometime and to everyone. He has not been long sick and but a short week helpless. He has had spells for a year that forebode the end, but was not called upon to suffer very much or require much help or attention. He has enjoyed good health for many years and been able to care for himself. Mother still lives but is rather feeble. He has 4 living sons and one daughter, ranging in age from 41 to 56: Herbert, Ernest, Geo., Bennett and Edna. Two children were lost in their infancy."
   [Bennett Luther Dean, personal diary, Tuesday April 28,1914, transcribed by Troy S.]