Eli Seeley

As printed in 1906

ELI SEELEY.

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. Davis, of Kansas City, Missouri; and

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.