Hon. Dean S. Efner was born October 22, 1822, in what was then called North Deerfield, in the county of Monroe, New York State. From this place he emigrated to Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois, and in March, 1841, moved, with his father, Dr. W. H. Efner, to Albany where he has resided ever since. About this time David Mitchell, Capt. Samuel Mitchell, Capt. Abram I. Kilgour also came to Albany from near Lacon, none of whom now survive save Capt. Samuel Mitchell.

Mr. Efner has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Sarah S. Thompson whom he married March 2, 1843. She was a sister of John S. Thompson Esq., and Miss Margaret Blean, of Newton. The only child of this marriage living is Wm. E. Efner, Esq., of Coleta in this county. Mrs. Efner died on the 2d of September, 1845. Mr. Efner was married to his second wife, Miss Sarah Brewer, at Albany, on the 28th of August 1848 by Rev. Father McKean. Miss Brewer was born in England on the 8th of October, 1826. When she was but a child her father emigrated to this country, bringing his family with him, and settled near Harrisburg Pa., and in 1844 came to Albany.

At the age of sixteen Mr. Efner began to learn the mason trade, and this trade he followed more or less until the year 1864. His fellow citizens both of the town and Legislative District have frequently called upon him to serve them in a public capacity. For twenty-five years last past he has held the office of Justice of the Peace, with the single exception of about one year. The person then elected died shortly afterwards, and Mr. Efner was elected to fill the vacancy. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors from 1863 to 1870, but resigned during the latter year to take a seat as a representative in the General Assembly of the State, to which he had been elected. So well pleased were the people of the District with his services as Representative that he was re-elected in 1873. During these two terms of the Legislature the revision of the laws of the State were completed, and made to conform to the new constitution of 1870. In this arduous and exacting labor, Mr. Efner took a conspicuous part. In 1859 he was admitted to practice law, going in person to Springfield to attend examination for that purpose. The examination was held by a committee of examiners selected from the ablest members of the Supreme Court which was then in session at the State Capitol. Mr. Efner has also served as clerk and attorney for the Board of Trustees of the village of Albany, and at present holds these posi­tions.

Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County