In the neighborhood of Warren there was very little bilious sickness.
Doctors were nevertheless needed, particularly in cases requiring surgical operations. We are unable to state positively who was the first physician located at Warren, but Dr. John W. Seeley in all probability was. He located in Howland township, on a farm, in 1801, having previously been settled at Jefferson, Green county, Pennsylvania. He removed his family to Howland in 1802. It is proper that we should speak of Dr. Seeley as a Warren physician, for his practice embraced Warren and a surrounding territory of at least ten miles. He was a man of congenial habits and affable manners. His professional attainments were respected and praised.
In the spring of 1812, when the Government had lost all hope of a peaceful settlement of difficulties with England, and a call was made for troops to increase the army, Dr. Seeley was one of the most active in this part of Ohio to encourage volunteering. When the Trumbull company roll was finally full he was complimented by an election to the captaincy, and was mustered into the army before war was formally declared. We know very little of the details of Dr. Seeley’s army life, further than that he attained to the rank of general. After the war General Seeley resumed his profession. He continued in active practice until the time of his death. The Ohio and Pennsylvania canal project received from him enthusiastic and valuable support. He labored from the beginning soliciting stock, and afterwards, as one of the board of directors, gave personal attention to its construction. His death occurred on the day of triumph. A delegation of Mahoning valley and Pennsylvania capitalists and citizens celebrated the completion in March 1841, of this link between the Ohio and Pennsylvania canals, by an excursion to Akron. It was a gala day, and General Seeley was a leading spirit in the party, until seized by apoplexy. His death soon followed. The same boat brought back his lifeless body.
Page 289, extracted from “History of Trumball and Mahoning Counties, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches'” Vol. I, Published, Cleveland: H.Z. Williams & Bro. 1882
