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Henry Seelye Sr. died Friday, March 27, 1869, at the home on Western avenue, Henry, Ill. He was born Dec. 21, 1835 at Pownal, Bennington county, Vt. He came to Illinois in the year 1853 locating in Peoria county. He was married to Mary Jane Johnson in the year 1855, who died in the year 1858. To this union were born two children, Alphonso Seelye and Mrs. Mary Aukland. After which time he moved to Marshall county. He was again married in the year 1860 to Mary Jane Warren, who died February 21, 1891. To this union two children were also born, Mrs. Laura Harrison and Henry Seelye Jr. all of whom survive. He also has two brothers living, William Seelye of Traer, Iowa, and Mason Seelye of Abilene, Kansas, both of whom were present at the funeral.
Mr. Seelye joined the Masonic order at Bradford. He transferred his membership by demit to Henry lodge in 1883, having been a member of the latter lodge some 13 years up to the time of his death.
The funeral was held at the M.E. church in Saratoga township, 12 miles west of Henry, on Monday forenoon. The procession left the house at nine o’clock and reached the church at 11:20, where appropriate services were conducted by Rev. David McLeish of this city. There was a large attendance of friends and neighbors who had known the deceased and who came to sympathize with the family in their hour of sorrow. At the close of the service he was interred in a lot by himself in the church yard. The pallbearers were Joseph Greenlea, Robert McDonough, George Nicholson, E. Camery, Fred A. Raymond and Daniel Ketchum.
Mr. Seelye was one of the heaviest men in this section. In his palmier days his avoirdupois balanced the scales at 275 bls. A characteristic of him was a merry, ringing laugh which could be heard distinctly a block or two distance. Softening of the brain, which had been telling on his massive frame for many months, cut off what such a constitution would indicate – a long life. He leaves an estate of 650 acres of land and some personal, a casual valuation placing it at $45,000. No will has been found.
Published unknown, news clipping donated by John Seelye Harrison
[He is SGS # 2352 – Henry Mendall/Mundall (# 2352); Thomas Barnes (# 849); Ephraim; Ephraim John; Benjamin; Nathaniel; Robert]
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