... 9. Samuel Dean, see forward. ...
... (III) S. Dean Canan, youngest child of Judge Moses and Mary (Henderson) Canan, was born at Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1827. He received a good education in the common schools of the districts in which he lived, and when he was ten years of age he removed with his parents to Johnstown. Upon the completion of his school days he was employed for several years as clerk, and in 1846, associated with his two brothers, William H. and Robert H., he established himself in the wholesale and retail grocery business, which they carried on very successfully until 1862. In connection with this business they were extensively engaged in shipping all freight shipments made by the Pennsylvania Railroad during the first year of its existence from 1851 to 1852, under Thomas A. Scott, then dispatcher, afterwards president of the road.
S. Dean Canan taught school during the winter months from 1853 until 1861. He enlisted for nine months, August 23, 1862, in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Infantry, Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Captain J.K. Hite, and was mustered out May 29, 1863. At the conclusion of the war he accepted a position as traveling salesman in the meat and grocery lines, and this he held very successfully for forty years. He is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. His cheery demeanor and unfailing kindliness and readiness to assist those less fortunate than himself have won for him a host of sincere friends. Mr. Canan is one of the charter members of the Royal Arcanum, No 401, of Johnstown ; was elected treasurer at the first meeting in October, 1879, and has been treasurer ever since. He is also a member of Emery Fisher Post No. 30, G.A.R., was elected commander and served as such during the year of 1898, and is now chaplain. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church during the pastorate of the late Rev. William Lynch, and has been a member of its official board for over forty years. In 1873 a bell was purchased for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Johnstown and the names of the nine trustees were cast on the inside of the bell, this being done without the knowledge of the officers thus honored. Out of the nine trustees Mr. Canan is the only one living.
He married, February 16, 1854, Mary Elizabeth Davis, born April 2, 1831, daughter of Amos B. and Martha (Wakefield) Davis, and their children were :
1. Martha I., married Samuel M. Miller.
2. Charles M., died in infancy.
3. Moses H., married Frances Custer.
4. William D., married Sarah Oppy.
5. Mary C., unmarried. ...
