Ellen Seelye

Mrs. Ellen Seelye was born near Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois Dec. 31, 1837, and died at her home in Abilene, Kansas, March 1, 1922, aged 84 years, 2 months and 2 days.

She was the daughter of Samuel and Delia Richmond Seely, natives of New York, who moved to Illinois about 1828. Mrs. Seelye was the last of eight. On Dec. 25, 1855 she was married to Mason Seelye from Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont, and moved near Henry, Marshall County, Illinois, in the spring of 1856, residing on the same farm for 34 years. In 1890, they came to Abilene, Kansas.

Six children were born to Ellen and Mason Seelye, four sons and two daughters, all living except one son who died in infancy. Franklin D., Alvin W., and Mrs. Emma Organ, of Boise, Idaho; Alfred B. and Mrs. Jennie Gish of Abilene. Her husband, Mason Seelye, passed away Feb. 2, 1916. Since that time, she has been living alone. Mrs. Seelye lived a consistent Christian life, uniting with the church in early womanhood.

The funeral services were held from the United Brethren church Sunday afternoon, March 5, 1922. Services were conducted by Rev. Hope and Rev. Sappenfield. Burial in the Abilene cemetery. May we who are left profit by her saintly life and so live that when life's evening" shall have come, when the lengthening shadows fall about us at last and the night comes creeping up in the valley, may this blessed melody of God's love still sing in our hearts, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me," and may God answer, "Lo, I am with you always even to the end."

Contributed by: John Robert Seely