thriving and successful enterprise. Many of the more important offices of Norway township Mr. Dean held while a resident within its borders, and in the fall of 1891 he was elected to the state senate, in which capacity he served one term; in fact, in all affairs of a public nature Mr. Dean is an active participant, and is looked upon as a well-informed and prominent citizen of the county. He also owns 320 acres of land situated in Norway and Pleasant townships, which he conducts in connection with his lumber interests in Canton.

July 12, 1871, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Edgar Dean and Miss Lavina Parker, the latter a native of Perry county, Ind. This lady is a woman of much intelligence, who looks carefully after the family interests in the management of household affairs, is social and hospitable, and sympathizes in the good works promulgated in the community. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean, on whom have been bestowed the following names: Ralph, George, Effie, Edna, Ella and Edgar M. He is socially affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, 1. O. O. F., and also belongs to the chapter. His personal character is such as to win universal esteem, and his business career promises fine results.

ON. NATHANIEL V. ROSS.  The subject of this biography, a farmer residing in section 18, Vermillion township, Clay county, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 9th of June, 1835. His

father was Benjamin Ross, and his mother, Mary Palm, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. After their marriage they settled in Trumbull county, Ohio, where they lived, with the exception of a couple of years spent in Mercer county, Pa., until early in the '40s, leaving the Buckeye state at that time and settling in Jones county, Iowa. During the latter years of his life, Mr. Ross went to Maysville, Ark., for his health, and there died; his wife later on came to Clay county, Dak. Ter., and at the residence of her son, in Fairview township, she also passed to her reward beyond the grave.

Of the eight children born to the above couple, three sons and five daughters, our subject was the fifth in order of birth. He was living with an uncle in Trumbull county when his parents removed to Iowa, but in the fall of 1852, he joined the family and engaged in farming in Jones county until 1855, leaving the Hawkeye state at that time for southern Nebraska, where he remained until coming to Dakota territory. May, 1861, Mr. Ross took up a claim of 160 acres in section 18, of Vermillion township, settled thereon, and has ever since made it his home. Agriculture has always been his business, and he has been eminently successful in his chosen calling.

The marriage of Mr. Ross and Miss Margaret Goudy, was celebrated in Marion, Linn Co., Iowa, November 18, 1855. Mrs. Ross is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (McWilliams) Goudy, and is a native of Ohio, born February 6, 1835. Six living children have come to bless this union, of whom the following is a record: Mary, the wife of L. B. Keeling; Walter; Eva, now Mrs. Stickney; Edith, Horace and May B. Of the four deceased members of the family, three died in infancy, and John died in his fifteenth year.