John M. C. Dean, carriage and wagon maker, Brandt; was born in West Virginia Aug. 10, 1828, and came to Ohio about 1839; he located in Clark Co., near Carlisle, and worked on farms at different places till, in 1848, he commenced learning his trade: he worked as apprentice and journeyman until, in 1850, he moved to Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., near McKendrie Chapel, and commenced business for himself; two and a half years afterward he bought property in Brandt and started a shop, this has been his home ever since; although left an orphan at the age of 9, he managed to support himself, and at the same time, get a common school education; he has served as Magistrate in Bethel Township nearly fiften years; was Postmaster from Lincoln's first administration to February, 1879, when he resigned; served one term as Township Clerk and several terms as Trustee. In 1849, Dec. 31, he married Louisa Giesseman, a native of this township, born Sept. 30, 1832 ; the fruits of this union were two children; Gordon T., born Aug 26, 1850, and Winfield S., June 16, 1854, and died Feb. 5, 1856.