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Mrs. Mary Seely Dies at Age 78
Was Member of Pioneer Alton Family
Mrs. Mary Alice Seely, 78, member of a prominent Upper Alton family, and daughter of an early steamboat captain, the late Edwin D. Young, and Mrs. Young, died early this morning at her home, 2221 Brown street, following an illness of several months. She had been bedfast since last March.
The widow of Robert Fulton Seely, former well known book dealer, Mrs. Seely was widely acquainted in Alton.
The book store which was located at 119 West Third street for many years was an important part in the life of Altonians in the early 90’s, especially school children. The store supplied reading material for nearly all of the residents of that era and was a popular place for children to get their school books.
Mrs. Seely was born here April 4, 1874, the daughter of pioneer settlers in Alton. For a number of years immediately following her marriage, Oct. 1, 1896, to Robert Fulton Seely, she resided in the old Seely homestead on East Broadway, on the site where the former airdome theater stood, across from Mineral Springs Hotel.
Since 1909 she had made her home in Upper Alton at the Brown street residence that her husband constructed just a year before his death.
Her brother, the late William Mark Young of Chicago, was a well known artist.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Burton W. Morwood, who resided with her mother and assisted in caring for her in her declining years, and Mrs. Frank M. Reynolds of Chicago. She also leaves five grandchildren, Mrs. John P. Wellbank, Mrs. Kurt Telchert, Mrs. Arthur B. Markwalter and James W. Reynolds, Chicago, and Burton Seely Morwood of Denver, Colo., and three great grandchildren. A grandson, Frank Seely Reynolds, lost his life of the island of Guam during World War II.
Her grandchildren from Chicago and Denver are expected here for the funeral.
Rites will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. in Steeper funeral home. Burial will be in the Seely family lot in Alton cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home after 5 p.m. Thursday.
Published in the Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) Wednesday August 6, 1952
Mrs. Mary Alice Seely Services Held Friday
Funeral rites for Mrs. Mary Alice Seely, 78, of 2221 Brown street, were conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in Streeper funeral home by the Rev. Paul S. Krebs, pastor of Twelfth Street Presbyterian Church. Interment was in Alton cemetery.
Arthur Brubaker sang two hymns, accompanied by Mrs. Alonzo Rosenberger. Pallbearers were Edward C. James, Eugene Elwell, Frank McKinney, Roger McBrien, Harold Powell, and Don Grover.
Among out-of-town relatives here for the funeral were Mrs. William Mark Young of Chicago and her son, Dickson Young of Peoria. Mrs. Young was the widow of William Mary Young, a brother of Mrs. Seely.
Published in the Alton Evening Telegraph (Alton, Illinois) Saturday August 9, 1952
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