PASSING OF ROBERT M. SEELEY
Had Served Three Years as Member of Bridgeton's City Council--Man of Probity and Held Positions on Trust.
Robert M. Seeley, who was vice-president of the Cumberland National Bank up until last January when he retired from the position on account of failing health, died during the night, just three months before what would have been his 84th birthday. In the demise of Mr. Seeley, Bridgeton loses a citizen of standing, a man of probity and one who had the cordial regard of a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Seeley had been able to go out until about six weeks ago, since which time he had been confined to his room, and the latter part of the period to his bed. The last few days his decline was marked, and for some hours he had lain in a comatose state. Death was caused by uremia.
Robert Mason Seeley was born in Bridgeton, October 26, 1823, and was the son of Samuel Ward Seeley, being of a family prominent in Cumberland County since its early settlement. He attended school at the old Harmony Academy on Bank street and began his business career in 1850 as a clerk in the store of J.B. Potter & Co. Later he was employed at the store known in those days as the "Blue Store", located at the southeast corner of Commerce and Laurel streets.
In 1863 Mr. Seeley became connected with the canning factory of Fithian & Pogue and while there was appointed deputy collector of United States Internal Revenue. This office he filled from 1866 to 1881. During this period he bought a clothing business and conducted it for six or seven years.
In 1862 Mr. Seeley entered the Cumberland National Bank as a bookkeeper, and after successive promotions, he was elected cashier in February, 1907, and vice-president in January, 1913. He held other positions of trust with the Bridgeton Building and Loan Assoc. and the West Jersey Academy. He served as a member of Bridgeton City Council. The deceased had long been one of the prominent members of the First Presbyterian Church, and for many years was a member of its Board of Trustees.
Mr. Seeley's wife died about eight years ago. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. George D. Moore, who resides at the Seeley home on North Pearl street and one son, C. Edgar Seeley, of Philadelphia. He also leaves two grandsons, Ward Seeley of New York and Robert Seeley with his father in Philadelphia. Charles Henry Seeley, the only brother of the deceased, died on the 3rd of last February.
Published in Bridgeton Evening News, July 26, 1917
SEELEY--In Bridgeton, N.J., July 26, 1917, Robert M. Seeley in the 84th year of his age.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at his late residence, No. 101 North Pearl street, on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment private at Broad Street Cemetery.
Published in Bridgeton Evening News, July 26, 1917
[Is SGS #2999 – Robert Mason (#2999); Samuel Ward (#1232); Ebenezer, Enos; David; John; Nathaniel; Robert]
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