SEELEY – The church at Wellwood has suffered a great loss in the decease of Brother Lester Seeley, who for many years has been a devoted, faithful, useful member thereof. For a year or more Brother Seeley has been afflicted with creeping paralysis and toward the last a complication of diseases, which carried him away Friday, Aug. 4, 1899, at five minutes before five in the afternoon. The deceased brother was born in the town of Palermo, Oct. 29, 1829. He married Laura A. Huntington on Nov. 14, 1850, who has been a loving helpful companion to the journey’s end, faithful in the discharge of all the duties and opportunities as a wife, and, though suffering under the great burden of sorrow which has overtaken her, she is joyfully anticipating the reunion which awaits her in Heaven. The most of his life was passed in Palermo. In 1854 he moved to South Mexico, where he lived until 1896, when he made his home in the village of Mexico until his death. Three sisters lived to grow up and survive him. Brother Seeley was not only faithful to the discharge of his duties to his church, but regular in his attendance at the annual district camp meeting and naturally so, for it was on the old camp ground at Hannibal that he was converted in 1849, soon after which he joined the church at South Mexico, where for many years he was a steward and, for about twelve years preceding the close of his life, he was a most acceptable and useful class leader. To the very last he maintained the family altar. Although unable to kneel, he prayed with the family, sitting in his chair. He was a man of genial temperament, most kind and loving in his family relations and well beloved by all who knew him. It might be said of him :A man without an enemy.” His former pastor, the Rev. J.P. Rathbun, writes: “We knew him but to love him.” In the midst of his agonizing suffering toward the close of his life, he manifested Christian resignation and faith without murmuring. He prayed only for patience. His wife and daughter, Mary E., survive to mourn his departure, but with faith in the promises of God. Their faces are turned toward by the world where they never say “good by.”
G.M. WARD
Published in the Northern Christian Advocate, September 27, 1899 page 15
[Lester is SGS #2918 – Lester (#2918); Elisha (#1186); Lemuel; Gideon; Joseph; John; Nathaniel; Robert]
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