Thomas Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: October 1, 1822
Birth Place: Wayne County, NY
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: October 1, 1822
Birth Place: Wayne County, NY
Thomas Seely was born in Wayne county, New York, October 1, 1822. His parents emigrated West and settled in Oakland county, Michigan, when he was about eight years of age. His mother, whose maiden name was Susan Clinin, died in 1846. His father, Samuel Seely, died in 1855. Both died in the state of Michigan. Thomas Seely received a good education in the schools and academies of the county in which he resided. Reaching a proper age he taught school for a short time and then went into the Grand river country, where for some time, with his brother John Seely, he was engaged in the lumber business. In the fall of 1849 he went to Washington city, having an appointment under the government. He remained there until the following spring. Afterward went to the Lake Superior country as an agent for a mining company. He remained there until he came to Guthrie county, locating in Bear Grove township in the spring of 1853. He was married January 8, 1857, in Guthrie Center by Rev. J. W. Anderson, to Miss May, daughter of Isaac and Rachel Parrish; eight children have been born to them, three of whom are dead–Curtis P. and Roy died in infancy; Clarence died November 15, 1880, aged 21 years; five are still living, namely Horace, Etta, Kate, Margueretta and Ray. In 1861, he entered the army in the service of his country. He organized Company C, 4th Iowa infantry, and served in its command until he was compelled by ill health, in the winter of 1862, to resign and return home. In 1854, he served as surveyor of Guthrie county, and 1855 was appointed by the county judge to fill a vacancy in the office of county treasurer. In the fall of 1856, he was elected by the district formed of the counties of Guthrie, Dallas and Polk, to the constitutional convention, and served in that body in forming the present constitution of the state. In 1858, he, with J. N. Griffith and Hon. John A. Kasson, were appointed a committee to investigate the state funds. In 1860, he was appointed to select the swamp lands and locate the swamp-land scrip belonging to Guthrie county. In 1864, he was appointed register of the United States land office, and resigned the position in the fall of 1867. He was a delegate to the republican national convention, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. He was elected in the fall of 1878 to represent Guthrie county in the lower house of the general assembly, and served with honor during the session. Mr. Seely was one of the original proprietors of the town of Guthrie Center, and has always been diligent in promoting its interests. He settled in 1859 upon the east half of section 8, in Valley township, improved the property into a fine farm home, residing upon it until 1881, when he sold it to William Willson and then built himself his present pleasant home in Guthrie Center, which his many friends hope he may happily enjoy through many years of honored age.
“History of Guthrie and Adair Counties, Iowa” published Springfield, Ill: Continental History. Co., 1884.
[Son of Samuel SGS # 3040 – Thomas; Samuel [SGS# 3040]; Jonas; John; John S; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]