"Wildwood Dean" of Bonham was the guest speaker at Thursday night's Hopkins County
Genealogical Society meeting, and told of his adventures on the Red River.

 

Local Genealogists Hear of Adventures
on the Red River, From "Wildwood Dean"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It was a "packed" crowd at the Thursday night monthly meeting of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, hosted at the library on Main Street, as they gathered to hear of the adventures of "Wildwood Dean," on the Red River. "This is one of the best programs that I've heard all year," exclaimed one member, as he assessed the night's presentation. "I really enjoyed hearing about Wildwood's adventures and the many things he knows about the Red River Basin. He told of some things that I'd never even considered, living this close to the area!"

Wildwood Dean grew up on a Red River bottom farm, in Fannin County, near Bonham, where his parents were sharecroppers, before they managed to save enough money to purchase a farm. He and his brother enjoyed fishing and hunting adventures up and down the Red River with their father and the many facets of being reared in a time and place that was much more "laid back" than we experience today.

Wildwood Dean explained that he received the monichor when he began crafting furniture back in the 1980's, from wild wood that he collected along the Red River. "I make most of my furniture today, from the Dogwood tree, so it would be more appropriate to call me 'Dogwood Dean," but I'll answer to just about anything," related the adventurer.

 

"Wildwood Dean" answers a number of questions from the audience, on Thursday night,
following his presentation on the Red River.

 

 

 

Wildwood Dean and his wife, Della, live near the Red River today and he has a shop in which he constructs the beautifully crafted furniture, from hoops made from the roughleaf Dogwood trees that he finds along the river. He learned the method of creating wooden hoops from his father, who showed him how to do it, when building fishing nets from wood.

"I've learned to love the Dogwood for its excellence as a building material," states Wildwood. "And, the bent fashioning of the wood makes beautiful chairs and designs."

Wildwood Dean, his adventures, and his furniture has been featured on "Texas Country Reporter," "The Eyes of Texas" syndicated T.V. Show, and in articles in "Texas Monthly," and "Dallas Morning News." He has recently been accepted into the Craftsmens Guild of Mississippi, which will allow him to exhibit his furniture in a number of venues in that state. He's been awarded the Texas Forestry Association 1998 Excellence in Wood Design Award, and continues to sell his crafts all across the state of Texas and in several neighboring states.

Wildwood Dean has written two books, "River of Dream" and "Treasure River," both about his experiences on the Red River, as he walked the banks, hunted and fished on the river, and made a lengthy trip down the famous river.

Wildwood Dean offered his books for sale, following Thursday night's meeting and personally signed copies for everyone, as well as answered a number of questions about his adventures and the presentation on Thursday night!

"We want to thank Wildwood Dean for this great program," expressed Hopkins County Genealogical Society President, Ronny Glossup, on Thursday night. "I think everyone learned loads of information about the mighty Red River and its historical significance to our region of the state!"

 

"Wildwood Dean" autographs copies of his books about the Red River, during a book signing,
following Thursday night's meeting.

 

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