Washington County
Ohio Genealogy Trails
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Washington County
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Dean Tyler
Dean Tyler, Esa., was a native of Haverhill, Mass., and liberally educated at one of the New England colleges. He possessed a brilliant mind, an agreeable person, and refined manners.
In early life he formed an attachment to a young lady, who returned it with equal affection. But the wayward course of lovers sometimes crosses all their purposes; a misunderstanding occurred, which induced Tyler to embark for Europe, to flee from that which had really become necessary to his happiness. He took passage in a letter of marque for Bourdeaux. On the voyage out and back, he met with some fighting, some storms, and had several narrow escapes. These incidents probably helped to cure him of his jealousy, or whatever it was that caused him to go on this adventure. He returned with a full determination to confess his fault, and unite himself with her whom he had so abruptly parted from. But it was too late; he had broken the heart of his loved one, and the first news he heard on landing, was, that she was dead—had died of a broken heart. The shock entirely overcame him; he was attacked with a violent illness, followed with delirium, and narrowly escaped that death he would willingly have suffered, could it atone for his error. His recovery was slow and tedious; and it was a long time before he could attend to any business.
As soon as he was able to travel, he joined the Ohio Company adventurers, then in the opening of their enterprise to occupy the great west, and redeem it from the wilderness. He attached himself, in 1789, to the settlement of Waterford and, with them, drew a donation lot of one hundred acres.
He was a brave and active pioneer; exposing himself to danger on every occasion, and doing all he could for the benefit of the inhabitants. During the winter months, he taught school; and on the Sabbath officiated as chaplain, reading the sermons of some able divine, and conducting the public devotions, which were regularly kept up during the period of the war, as well as subsequently.
As a man, he was much respected by the pioneers, and the garrison built for their protection, was called Fort Tyler. He never married, but continued a bachelor to the end of his days. His habits were rather studious and sedentary; except when danger threatened the inhabitants from an Indian attack, when he was alert and active. In his latter years he became rather intemperate, probably hoping to drown his melancholy reflections in the inebriating bowl. His name is still fondly cherished by the descendants of his pioneer companions.
Source: A History of Belpre, Washington County, Ohio, by C. E. Dickinson, 1920, Transcribed by C. Anthony
