The eighty acres of our Centennial Farm are located in Paradise Township, Grand Traverse County. The land was originally homesteaded in 1867, by my grandfather, Frank Dean, who married Allie Taylor in 1874. Previous owners were Frank Dean and Allie Taylor; following them were Don Dean and Cordie Days.  The farm is presently owned by myself, Wanda (Dean) Ramey, and my husband Earl Ramey we purchased it in 1986 and restored the home back to it's "hey-day". We were living downstate and traveled to and from working on this project until retirement and then the removed back to the family farm. Something they were very proud of. Earl has has since died and in 2003, Wanda is currently in a Traverse City assisted living home.  About 2002, they had an auction to sell the farm and their belongings.

First, grandfather built a 16' by 24' log house and a log barn (1867). In 1874, he constructed a frame barn which was only the second of its type in the township. A week after it was completed, a huge brush fire set by train engine sparks almost burned it. A larger barn was added in 1885 and an eleven room house replaced the log house in 892. Another barn, 40' by 60', was built in 1904.

We have beautifully restored the house and these two barns and they still stand secure today. The last structure built, a wood silo, 1910, was destroyed during a severe wind storm.

Frank Dean was a man of small stature but enormous character. He actively farmed until his wife's death, following her a mere five months later, at the age of 88.

Seasonal crops, dairy and pig farming were mainstays that fed his family of five children. The farm also supported his son, Don, his wife, Cordie, and their children: Willis, Alice, Frank and myself, Wanda. Frank died tragically in childhood.

Times were often trying, but pride and hard work sustained our family. My father often said, "We have weathered hard times, but we have never had a mortgage on this farm since it was homesteaded." Considering this heritage, it is no wonder the Dean-Ramey Centennial Farms stands as a symbol of family pride today. Also a copy of this in the book "Centential Farms" put out by someone in the pertinent department.
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Grand Traverse County MIGENWEB
Updated 24Sept2003 - Updated 21Mar2004