Robert Fulton Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: September 12, 1857
Date of Death: October 21, 1910
Birth Place: Upper Alton, IL
Death Place: Alton, IL
Robert Fulton Seely
“FULT” SEELY’S SUFFERING ENDED
Prominent Business Man
After Long Illness, Proprietor of Old Time Book and Stationery Store Dies in Upper Alton Home
Robert Fulton Seely, one of the best known business men in Alton, died Friday night at 11 o’clock at his residence in Upper Alton, after a long illness. His death had been expected for several months, as all hope of his recovery was given up some time ago. The fact that “Fult” Seely was in declining health came as a surprise to his many friends in the Altons. As a young man he was known to be a strong athlete. His feats of strength are still talked of among the men who knew him as a boy and young man. He was a devoted lover of out-doors sports of all kinds. A few years ago his health began to fail but he stayed in his place of business, which he had inherited from its founder, his father, and continued to sell books and stationery. The firm had been in the one place of business since the early days of Alton. Over a year ago Mr. Seely found it necessary to move as the owners of the building had leased the store room to another firm. He moved then to the present location of the store on State street.
Among the school children who had bought books from Mr. Seely for many years, he was well liked. Among business men who associated with him, he was popular and his word in a business way was highly regarded. Until failing health made it necessary for him to retire from business, he was constant in his attendance on his duties in his store.
Mr. Seely was 53 years of age, being born in Upper Alton September 12, 1857. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Seely and his mother, Mrs. Sarah Seely, age 84 survives him. He leaves also a brother, Frank, of Fullerton, Neb., and a sister, Mrs. W.T. Norris, of Greenfield, Ill., neither of whom will be able to attend the funeral, owing to illness. Mr. Seely also leaves his wife, to whom he was married October 1, 1896, and two daughters, Adda and Mary Seely.
Mr. Seely’s final illness made it necessary for him to leave his store the 18th of last June. He was not down town from that time. The doctors at first said his malady was malaria.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home in Upper Alton, Rev. W.H. Bradley officiating, and the burial will be in City cemetery at Alton.
Published in the Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) Saturday October 22, 1910
