The Seeley Family of Henry County, Iowa

Eli Seeley, who was one of the early promoters of development and progress in Lee county and became recognized as one of the most successful and prominent men of eastern Iowa, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, May 7, 1 81 2. When he was about fifteen years of age his father died, leaving him to battle for himself. He continued a resident of his native state, however, until about twenty years of age, and worked at the carpenter's trade, when his health was somewhat impaired, then he traveled to some extent, both on sea and land. Subsequently he was employed in a clock factory at Ansonia, Connecticut, and in 1 84 1 arrived in Iowa. Taking up his above in Harrison township, Lee county, he entered a tract of land from the government and then returned to his old home as he had come — on horseback. The return trip, however, was made for the express purpose of completing arrangements whereby he might identify his interests with those of the middle west and from Pennsylvania to Iowa he drove a flock of one thousand sheep with one horse and a dog. Reaching his destination, he began improving his place and having free range because of the unsettled condition of the country at that time he handled large numbers of sheep, having as many as five thousand. As he prospered in his undertakings he also added to his landed possessions until he had about five thousand acres at the time of his death. He was also well known as a capitalist and money lender, first loaning money here for friends in the east and later on his own account. He was known as one of the most successful men of Lee county, the extent and importance of his business being such as to make him a leader in real-estate and agricultural operations. He also extended his efforts into other fields of activity and assisted in the organization of the Farmers' and Traders' Bank at Bonaparte, Iowa, becoming a member of its board of directors, in which capacity he served until failing health obliged him to resign as he could no longer attend to the meetings of the board.

Mr. Seeley was united in marriage May I, 1845. to Miss Martha Beeler, who was born May 14, 182 1. a daughter of Isaac and Jane Beeler, who came to Iowa in 1836, locating on a tract of land adjoining the Seeley homestead. Mr. Seeley boarded with the Beeler family during the early years of his residence here and eventually married the daughter of the household. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom reached years of maturity, but four of the number are now deceased, Mettie, Theodore F., Ada and George L. Those still living are: Lucy J., now the wife of S. B.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM BEELER SEELEY.

The name of Seeley is so closely interwoven with the business history and development of Mount Pleasant and eastern Iowa that no record of this part of the state would be complete without mention of the representatives of the name who have figured so prominently here. W. B. Seeley, banker, agriculturist, and stock-raiser, of Mount Pleasant, is too well known in this locality and throughout the state to need introduction to the readers of this Wolume. He was born in Harrison township, Lee county, Iowa, on March 4, 1862, and is a son of Eli and Martha (Beeler) Seeley. who are represented elsewhere in this work. At the usual age he became a public school student, mastering the elementary branches of learning in Primrose, Iowa, while later he attended Elliott's Business College, at Burlington. He then matriculated in the law department of the L'university of Iowa, and was there graduated with the class of 1886, receiving the degree of LL. B. This was the first class that was graduated after the installation of the two years' course.

Returning to Lee county Mr. Seelev became associated with his father who had extensive business interests, to the supervision of which he devoted his time and energies until the father's death. He was married March 4, 1890, to Miss Elizabeth J. Ketcham, who was born August 27. 1869. and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ketcham, one of the pioneer and highly respected families of Van Buren county. Mr. Ketcham, together with Mr. Seeley's father, helped to organize the Farmers' and Traders" State Bank of Bonaparte, Iowa, in the early '80s. They were both members of the first board of directors, which position Mr. Ketcham still holds, as well as vice-president. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley located on Clover Lawn farm near the old homestead where Mr. Seeley continued to supervise and take charge of the more important business affairs of his father, which were now becoming burdensome to him. At the latter's demise the younger son. George Lincoln Seeley, was appointed administrator, acting in that capacity until his own death, on the 24th of May, 1897, when B. Seeley was appointed administrator de bonus non, so serving until the estate was settled up and he was honorably discharged in June, 1905.

Li 1900 Mr. Seeley removed to Mount Pleasant, and at once began the erection of a most beautiful and palatial residence at the corner of Broadway and Saunders streets, which was completed in 1902. Since taking up his above in this city his attention has largely been given to banking interests, breeding and exhibiting fine stock, as well as agricultural interests, which he had been conducting before. moving here. He has thus figured in financial circles for some time, having assisted in the organization of the Citizens' Mutual Bank at Donelson, Iowa, of which he is the president. He also aided in organizing the First National Bank of Farmington, Iowa, of which he is likewise the president. Both of these institutions are on a splendid basis, having had a prosperous existence and are regarded as among the most reliable financial concerns in this part of the state. Mr.

Seeley is likewise extensively interested in farming lands and owns a fine stock farm near Mount Pleasant, known as the Springdale stock farm, on which he is raising fine Aberdeen Angus cattle. He has here a number of imported animals and all are fine registered stock. The farm has a noted spring upon it, which gives it its name. It was here that in the fall of 1 86 1 the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and the Fourth Iowa Cavalry encamped while organizing and the spring furnished a plentiful supply of water for all the men and horses during the four or five months of the encampment here. Mr. Seeley now has a fine herd and has carried off many prizes at state fairs and international shows. At the head of his herd stands Blackbird Ito, which took first prize over everything in his class in the entire circuit in 1904, including the World's Fair at St. Louis. Mr. Seeley is also engaged in the breeding of Poland China hogs with Iowa Sunshine, 77.325, at the head of the herd found on the Springdale stock farm. He continues to operate the Clover Lawn farm in Harrison township, Lee county, which comprises one square section of land and is the original home farm of the family. There he engaged in the breeding of cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep. Aside from the stock farms, herein referred to, Mr. Seeley has other land interests aggregating over three thousand acres. His banking-, farming, and stock-raising interests are extensive and have made him well known throughout the state and beyond the borders of Iowa as well. In addition to giving his attention to these interests, however. Mr. Seelev has devoted

28 much time to a work that is creditable and of much vakre to the city of Mount Pleasant. Upon the death of his brother, George Lincoln Seeley, W. B. Seeley and Sherman Taylor were appointed administrators of the estate at his request. The deceased brother had expressed ideas although somewhat indefinitely that his estate be used for the beautifying of the home cemetery at Sharon, and for the benefit of young men. His wish in reference to the cemetery has been fully carried out and Sharon has become one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the entire state. In order to carry out his desires in the other direction, the administrators decided upon the erection of the beautiful Young Men's Christian Association building at Mount Pleasant, and the establishment of a manual training department in connection therewith. It was first planned that the building was to cost about forty or fifty thousand dollars, but the plans have since been enlarged and improved upon until at the completion this memorial building will have cost seventy-five thousand dollars. Much thought and effort have been required in carrying out this desire of the deceased brother to whom it will stand as a memorial for many years to come and at the same time it proves the devotion of Mr. Seeley to his brother, and to the city.

Mr. and Mrs. Seeley have become the parents of three children, Florence, June and Benjamin Eli. In politics he is a republican. At the republican county convention held June 2, 1906, Mr. Seeley was unanimously endorsed for state senator, and the delegates to the senatorial convention, chosen at this meeting, were instructed to cast the solid vote of the county for him. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and he is one of the church trustees at Sharon. Of keen discernment in business affairs, of unfaltering enterprise, and stalwart purpose he successfully managed his interests until today he is one of the most prosperous and representative men of southeastern Iowa. He is likewise known as a pleasant, social companion, and a devoted husband and father, and in the community where his entire life has been passed the circle of his warm friends is very extensive.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE LINCOLN SEELEY.

George Lincoln Seeley, whose name is endeared to all residents of Mount Pleasant and a monument to whose life and memory is seen in the beautiful Young Men's Christian Association building of this city, was born in Harrison township, Lee county, Iowa, May 15, 1865, his parents being Eli and Martha (Beeler) Seeley, mention of whom is made on another page of this work. He began his education in the graded schools of Primrose, Iowa, and afterward attended Howe's Academy in Mount Pleasant. He early became associated with his father in business, being the youngest and only child remaining at home, was a great help and comfort to his aged parents. After his father's death he was appointed adminis-

I i'U.U: C.fBKARY trator of the estate, but his health soon began to fail and in December followinghe, with his brother, T. F. Seeley, and family, went to Texas, where he remained until his death on the 24th of May, 1897. He was well-to-do for a man of his age, and when realizing that the end of his days was drawing near he expressed a desire that his means might be used to beautify Sharon cemetery and also for the benefit and advancement of young men. His plans were not matured but were expressed to his brother and sisters, who were with him and though he did not definitely decide upon any course for them to pursue, his administrators— his brother. W. B. Seeley, and his friend, Sherman Taylor, who had been appointed at his request — have carried out his wishes. He had remarked that "Sharon was the dearest spot on earth to him," and since his death his administrators have carried out his desire to have Sharon cemetery beautified and improved. They enlarged the grounds to twice the original size and have fenced the entire plot by first making a foundation three feet in the ground and building thereon a fine granite coming surmounted by a galvanized iron fence. At the entrance there is a beautiful and massive gateway and through the efforts and labors of the administrators Sharon has been made one of the most beautiful rural cemeteries in the country. After much study and investigation the administrators have also built a fine memorial building for the Young Men's Christian Association at Mount Pleasant, in connection with which is a fully equipped manual training school.

Thus the locality in which Mr. Seeley lived and labored is yet benefiting by his efforts, his forethought and his generosity. He was a member of the Sharon Presbyterian church and a man highly respected by all who knew him. In business transactions he was the soul of honor and integrity, and he had a broad humanitarian spirit which reached out to his fellow men, desiring the greatest good and best development for all. The splendid Young Men's Christian Association building is a fitting monument to an honorable career.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.