Chauncey W. Seeley
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: May 5, 1816
Date of Death: May 18, 1871
Birth Place: Rutland, Meigs County, OH
Death Place: MI
CHAUNCEY W. SEELEY. One of the first settlers in Forest township was Chauncey W. Seeley, who was born in the town of Rutland, Meigs Co., Ohio, May 5, 1816. His father, Stephen J. Seeley, was born in Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 3, 1788, where he grew to manhood. His parents were wealthy, and he received what was then considered a fine education. After his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kent he emigrated to Rutland, Ohio, where he bought from the government a new farm. After four years spent in clearing and improving his farm he sold out and went to Southern Indiana, where he resided six years. He then emigrated to Kentucky, where he lived until 1836, when he accompanied his sons Judson and Chauncey W. to Michigan, where he resided until his death, which occurred May 18, 1871.
Mr. Seeley was a man of marked ability, which was made good use of by his fellow-townsmen in Forest, who kept him in office most of the time. He was a justice of the peace over twenty years, and for many years was town clerk. As above stated, Chauncey W. and his brother came to Michigan in 1836. They stopped at Pontiac and rented a saw-mill, which they ran one year, doing a good and prosperous business. After the expiration of their lease they bought an interest in the Pierson & Harder saw-mill, located on the Kearsley, three miles from Flint. This investment proved unfortunate, and the year 1841 found them out of business and almost penniless. Mr. Seeley then came to Forest and bought the east half of the northwest quarter of section 32. It was new, as was the whole township at that time. He at once put up a shanty and commenced to clear his land. The same year he built a log house and moved his father’s family into it. Mr. Seeley was a large, powerful man, one who could turn his hand to almost any kind of labor, a man of great industry and a good manager, hence his success in life. The eighty acres of new land-his first purchase-he has increased to two hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the township, upon which is located a large and commodious brick house, recently finished. Mr. Seeley’s schooling was limited to less than two years at a district school, yet he made good use of it, as is proven by his successful business life. In an early day he was a Democrat, but joined the Republican party when it was first formed, and has since been one of its strongest supporters. He was elected town-clerk at the first town-meeting, and held the office two years; was town treasurer for four years, and was elected justice of the peace, but would not qualify. Sept. 28, 1845, he married Miss Mary Ann Dickinson, who was born March 31, 1822. She is a daughter of Zebulon and Esther Dickinson. Mrs. Seeley has proved to be a true pioneer wife,-one who has made the most of her surroundings,-always ready to do her part and bear her share of life’s burdens. To them have been born six children, all of whom are now living. Their names are as follows: Deniza Ann, born Nov. 2, 1846; Cassandra E., born May 29, 1848; Mary Jane, born Dec. 4, 1851; Mark D., born Nov. 4, 1853; Angeline F., born Feb. 8, 1856; and Charley P., born Sept. 30, 1858.
Pages 439-440, “History of Genesee county, Michigan. With illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers,” published Everts & Abbott, Philadelphia, 1879.
[Son of Stephen J. SGS # 1975 – Chauncey W.; Stephen J(SGS # 1975).; Stephen, Hezekiah; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Nathaniel; Robert]
