Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links > >

Dean, William Blake "W.B., Wm. B."

Senate 1891-94 (District 27)

Party when first elected:  Citizen's-Republican

Counties Served:  Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 9/28/1838
Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Birth County:
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death: 12/5/1922
Gender: Male
Religion: Presbyterian
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: W.B., Wm. B.
City of Residence (when first elected): Saint Paul
Occupation (when first elected): Merchant; Partner; Nicols, Dean, and Gregg Hardware Store

EDUCATION

Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pennsylvania; At Least Elementary School;
Bolmar's Boarding School for Boys, West Chester, Pennsylvania; At Least Elementary School;
Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania; Attended College;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Historical Society (Member); 1??? to 1???
Military: Minnesota State Militia, 31st Regiment (Captain); 1??? to 1???
Municipal Board/Commission: St. Paul, Minnesota (City Library Board); 1??? to 1???
Municipal Board/Commission: St. Paul, Minnesota (City Board of Fire Commissioners); 18?? to 18??
Municipal Board/Commission: St. Paul, Minnesota (City Water Board); 18?? to 18??
School Board/Administration: St. Paul, Minnesota (Board of Education/School Board); 1875 to 1877
U.S. Executive Branch: United States Commissioner (Inspector of the Northern Pacific Railroad); 1883 to 18?? [Appointed]
Municipal Board/Commission: St. Paul, Minnesota (City Charter Commission); 1897 to 1897
U.S. Legislative Staff/Council/Commission: United States National Monetary Commission; 1897 to 1897

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Mary Katherine Nicols (married on October 18, 1860)
Children: Eight children: Caroline Nicols, Aurelia Butler, Alice M., Mary Katherine, William John, Georgia, Sidney Butiel, and Helen
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
John Nicols  - Father-in-Law

GENERAL NOTES

He settled in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1856.

After he served in the Minnesota Legislature he was President of the Second National Bank of St. Paul. He served as the Director of the Great Northern Railway, the Oakland Cemetery Association, and the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. (St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/12/2007)

He was a member of the House of Hope Presbyterian Church.

Religion provided by an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3/12/2007 and the Minnesota Historical Society.

Total Days Served: 1463

SESSIONS SERVED

28th Legislative Session (1893-1894) (second half of Senate term)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 27
Elected: 11/4/1890
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/6/1891 to 1/7/1895
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Mercantile Business; Partner; Nicols, Dean, and Gregg Hardware Store
Party: Republican Party Notes: His party affiliation was provided by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Committees:
  • Banks and Banking
  • Insurance (Chair)
  • Library
  • Reapportionment
  • Tax and Tax Laws
  • University and University Lands

27th Legislative Session (1891-1892)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 27
Elected: 11/4/1890
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/6/1891 to 1/7/1895
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Merchant; Partner; Nicols, Dean, and Gregg Hardware Store
Party: Citizen's-Republican
Committees:
  • Insurance
  • University and University Lands
Articles & Books About
Yuen, Laura. "Royalty Restored (William Blake Dean Summit House). St. Paul Pioneer Press, March 12, 2007.


Archive Collections
William Blake Dean and Family Papers; Undated, 1813, 1851-1937 - Available in the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.