Samuel E. Seely, the father of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts, and was the son of John and Mary (Slater) Seely. John was also a native of Massachusetts, and a member of one of the leading families of the Bay State. Mary Slater was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, and one of the survivors of the Wyoming massacre. While Samuel was a boy, his parents removed to Vermont, from whence he volunteered in the War of 1812, and served in the command of Gen. McComb. After his service in the war, he settled in St. Lawrence County, N.Y. Later he removed to Western New York, and thence to Oakland County, Mich. He was a farmer by vocation. He died in Kent County, Mich., in 1854. Susan Clinging, the mother, was born near Dublin, Ireland. Being left an orphan in childhood, she came to America with an uncle. She died in Oakland County, Mich., in 1845.They had seven children, of whom Samuel E. was the youngest. He was born September 27, 1834, in Oakland County, Mich. He was reared on the farm, and attended the public schools, finishing his education in Northville, Mich., after which he taught school until 1854, and then removed to Iowa, where he taught one session, and also engaged in surveying. In 1855 he was appointed deputy treasurer and recorder of Guthrie County, Iowa, which position he held for one year, and then taught school during the winter of 1855-56. The following spring he immigrated to Nebraska, where he engaged in the stock and land business, and in 1856-57 served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature.
His residence in Nebraska extended over a period of ten years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army, serving as lieutenant of the Second Nebraska Regiment of Cavalry. He was mustered out at Omaha, in 1864, and in April, 1866, removed to Andrew County, MO., and settled six miles northwest from Fillmore, where he engaged in farming, and at which place he resided until December, 1874. In November, 1874, he was elected on the people’s ticket to the office of circuit clerk and recorder of Andrew County, and in 1878 was re-elected on the Republican ticket, which office he held eight years. Since 1883 he has resided in Savannah, and has engaged in farming and stock raising. He also carries on merchandising at Bird City, KS. He was married to Mary Brown, of Quincy, IL., who was born August 25, 1839. She is the daughter of Rufus and Nancy Brown, who were among the first settlers of Quincy and of Revolutionary parentage. To this union six children have been born.
“History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County” published 1888
[SGS #3040 – Samuel (#3040); Jonas (#1320); John; John S; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]