H. E. Seelye, one of the pioneers of Anoka county, was born in New Brunswick, on the 4th of January, 1838. He remained in his native province until 1855, when he came with his father to Anoka county, and settled in Oak Grove township, his father being the first to break land in that town. In August, 1862, the subject of our sketch enlisted in Company A, of the Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving until mustered out at St. Paul, in May, 1865. He was with Sibley’s expedition, and took an active part in seventeen Indian battles. Returning from the army, he assisted at the old homestead until his father’s death, in 1869, when he began farming on his own account, and continued to follow the plough until November, 1880, when he took charge of the hotel at St. Francis, but still keeps the Oak Grove farm. Mr. Seelye was married in 1865, to Minnie Pease, of Minneapolis, who died after one year of wedded life. His present wife was Jennie Bogedd, of Michigan, to whom he was married in 1867. Their children are, Minnie and Jennie.

Page 293, “History of the upper Mississippi Valley,” by H. N. Winchell, Published by the Minnesota Historical Company, Minneapolis, 1881