Dexter's first settlers arrived in 1800. Ebenezer Small and his family were the first to clear land, raise a crop, and build a dwelling-a brush camp on the hillside across from the present Annie's Restaurant on Main Street. Mrs. Small was actively involved in the difficult life that pioneers here faced; while her husband was away one day, she found a bear in one of his traps, killed it, dragged it home, and dressed it out. She had the bear meat cooked and ready for Ebenezer's supper when he returned that night.

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