USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume II > Part 56
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Ile married Miss Frances C. Bunell, the daughter of Simon Bunell, on April 12. 1876. The Bunell family were natives of Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Pelton have two sons, Roy J., now a physician at Armada, and Carl H., of Oakland county.
Mr. Pelton is a member of Oakwood Lodge, No. 100, F. & A. M., of Oakwood, Michigan ; of Lapeer Chapter, R. A. M., No. 42, Lapeer, Michigan ; of Court Metamora, I. O. F., No. 1563: and of Michigan Council, No. 24, Royal Arcanum, Lapeer. He was city treasurer of La- peer and justice of the peace in Brandon. He has been president of the Cemetery Association for thirty years. His wife is a member of the Congregational church and he is a Universalist.
WILLIAM I. SIMMONS. After years of continued and conscientious labor in several fields of enterprise, in which he accumulated a com- petency, this esteemed farmer of Novi is now living retired from active pursuits, although he is still managing his fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, having the work done by hired help and himself living in the village of Novi, where he is highly esteemed for his sterling qualities of manhood and progressiveness as a citizen, as he is in all parts of his township and county. He has been a school teacher and director, a farmer and a public official, and in each position has done credit to him- self and rendered service of benefit to the public.
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Mr. Simmons was born in Novi township, this county, on May 21, 1851, and is a son of Richmond C. and Hulda ( Powers) Simmons, the former a native of Livonia, Michigan, and the latter of the state of New York. The grandfather, Joshua Simmons, was a native of Taunton, Massachusetts, and came to Michigan and located in Wayne county in 1826. A few years later he took up a tract of government land, receiv- ing his patent for it from Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States.
William I. Simmons was educated in schools at Novi, Northfield and Pontiac, and at the Michigan State Normal School, being graduated from the last named institution in 1873. During 1874 and 1875 he taught school at Pewamo, lonia county, and the year 1876 he passed at the University of Michigan. Then during 1877 and 1878 he was prin- cipal of Farrington high school. After that for a few years he engaged in other pursuits, but in 1882 and until 1885 he again followed teaching, having charge of schools at Linden, at Coe and in Isabella county, which were fall and winter schools.
In 1881, having been married the year previous, be bought a tract of one hundred and ten acres of land, on which he made his home until 1885. In that year he went to Grosse Pointe, Wayne county, where he was superintendent of a large stock farm for two years, after which he returned to his farm, and until 1911 conducted its operations himself. In the year last named he purchased his property in the village of Novi. on which he made extensive improvements, converting it into one of the most complete convenient and modern in appointments as a home in this part of the county, and in that he has since lived continuously while superintending the work on his farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Simmons became the parents of three children, two of whom are living. Floy Lucretia, the first born. came into being on May 2, 1882, and was educated in the schools of Novi, Northville and Detroit. She is now the wife of Earl Banks, one of Novi's successful farmers, one of the extensive fruit growers of Michigan and a breeder of fine live stock. They have one child, their son Russell, who was born on May 9, 1909. Ethel Duana, the second child, was born in Isabella county on July 22, 1884, and educated at the State Normal School. She married William B. Flint, of Novi, one of the most enterprising and extensive fruit growers in Oakland county. The third child. Morrell Ira, was born on September 6. 1886, and educated at Northville. He died in 1907. Mrs. Simmons died on May 30, 1912.
Mr. Simmons was for years one of the directors of the Bassett school, and for some time bore the same relation to the Griswold school. He was also for a lengthy period superintendent of road construction for Novi township. He performed his duties with great industry and fidelity and won high praise for the excellence of his work in doing it. In regard to religious matters he is liberal and progressive, and in his political relations he is a Republican. He is well known throughout the county and in all parts of it is regarded as an upright and conscientious man and an enterprising, progressive and public-spirited citizen, and is highly esteemed for the excellent traits of character he possesses and the good he has done.
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WILLIAM ASA KINNEY. One of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Pontiac who, if for no other reason, would be entitled to special mention on account of his long and continuous residence in this section is William Asa Kinney. Mr. Kinney has the distinction of being a native born citizen of Oakland county, his native place being Pontiac township, where his birth occurred August 15, 1851, and he is a son of Alva T. and Sarah A. (Parker) Kinney, the former a native of New York and the latter of this state.
Alva T. Kinney was born July 19, 1824, in the Empire state, and on attaining his majority, in 1845. came to Michigan and located in Oakland county, where he followed the trade of tailor until his death in June, 1801. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah A. Parker, to whom he was united October 7, 1848. She was born March 20, 1824, and died February 20. 1853, having been the mother of three children, as follows: Almeda, who died as an infant; William Asa, of this sketch; and Sarah A., who was born February 3. 1853. Alva T. Kinney was married January 12, 1854, to Miss Ruth Stoel, and five children were born to this union, namely: Alvira, who was born June 12, 1855, and died November 22. 1011 ; Almira, born December 8, 1856, and now the wife of Bradley Deer, of Los Angeles, California ; Margery, born January 10, 1859, and now the wife of Mr. DeWitt, of Los Angeles ; Carrie, born February 6, 1861, and now the wife of Rhodes Willetts, of Shelby, Michigan ; and Lydia, now deceased, who was the wife of Frank Parrott, of Pontiac.
William Kinney commenced his education in the common schools of Oakland county, and when a lad of ten years left the parental roof to live with another family in the vicinity of his father's home. He re- mained in this home for seven years, when he took up farming as a voca- tion and was engaged therein until the time of his marriage. By that time he had accumulated an eighty-acre tract of land, but disposed of his agricultural interests and moved to Pontiac, where he has since been working at the trade of plasterer, in which he has built up a very suc- cessful and paying business. His office is maintained at his home. No. 385 Perry street, and the excellence of his work, together with the straightforward manner in which he does his business, has gained him the confidence and patronage of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Kinney was married May 18, 1879, to Miss Jane O. Conry, daughter of John and Ellen ( McGuire) Conry, and granddaughter of Farrell Conry, who served as a soldier during the War of 1812. Her grandmother. Ann (Wever) Conry, is buried in the churchyard where was erected the monument to the English soldiers who perished in 1838 on the ice of Amherstburg, Canada. Mrs. Kinney's father, John Conry, was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and her mother in Canada, the family coming to Michigan in 1878 and locating in Detroit, where Mr. Conry was engaged in the hotel business until his death in 1882. His widow survived him until February 29. 1908, having been the mother of six children, as follows: Ann, the wife of David Caldwell, of Detroit; Jane ()., the wife of William A. Kinney ; Emma L., who married John Rade- macher, of Detroit ; Catherine, wife of Joseph Wurtsworth, of Detroit; George, residing in that city; and Elizabeth Ida, wife of Christopher Doelcher, of Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have had the following children: Ellen, born November 2, 1880; Daniel, born November 1. 1882: Robert Conry, born August 25, 1884; Hazel, born August 1, 1886;
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John Howard, born January 10, 1890; William Carroll, born April 5, 1892; Wallace Murry, born March 15, 1894; Elizabeth Virginia, born May 17, 1896; Edwin Hudson, born June 22, 1899; and James Hazen, born April 25, 1901.
Mr. Kinney is a Democrat in his political views, but has not cared to hold office, and his only interest in public matters is that taken by any thinking man and good citizen. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, and his religious affiliation is with the Congre- gational church.
FRED L. JOHNSON, M. D. Intelligent, wide-awake and progressive, Fred L. Johnson, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Holly, and a citizen of prominence and influence, is rendering excellent service as pres- ident of the village, and is widely and favorably known throughout this section of Oakland county, both in his professional capacity and as a public official. A son of George W. Johnson, he was born in Holly, Mich- igan, November 11, 1878, and has there spent the greater part of his life aiding in every possible way the advancement and growth of his native place.
Born in Canada, as a boy, George W. Johnson was brought by his parents to Branch county, Michigan, and there grew to manhood. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he was employed as a drover during his carly life, and as a dealer in cattle became quite successful. Locating in Holly in 1876, he conducted a meat market in the village for eighteen years, and having acquired a competence is now living retired from active business. He married Elizabeth Gurd, who was born in Barry county, Michigan, of English ancestry.
Receiving his rudimentary education in Holly, Fred L. Johnson was graduated from high school with the class of 1899. As is natural to a man of his mentality, he was strongly inclined toward a professional career. Going, therefore, to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the Homeo- pathic Medical College from which in 1903 he was graduated with the degree of M. D. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Holly, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage. He is well known in various medical organizations, including the Oakland County Medical Society, of which he is a valued member.
Active in public affairs, the doctor has served as president of the village, being now in his fourth year in that office. Numerous improve- ments of value have been inaugurated under his management, the effi- ciency of the public water works having been greatly increased by the installation of an entirely new set of pumps and the air lift system, while the sewerage and lighting systems have been much extended. Dr. John- son was also instrumental in installing a private water system at the ceme- tery, a system which is managed by a board which serves under the village board, and in securing gates at all the railroad crossings in the village. Many needed improvements have also been made on all the public high- ways, and cement walks have been laid in nearly every part of the city. In 1910 the mill to which the electric light plant was attached burned, but heroic work saved the power plant of the water works, which stood near, and the electric light plant has since been rebuilt by a private com- pany.
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Dr. Johnson has been for three years a member of the Holly board of education, rendering excellent service in that capacity, and is now serving the second term of his third year, being at present secretary of the board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and of the Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
On November 27, 1905, the Doctor was united in marriage with May A. Lane, daughter of John Lane, the inventor and manufacturer of the old woven wire fence machinery, who is now living retired from active pursuits in Holly. Dr. Johnson is a genial, whole-hearted man, with a mind broadened by general reading and observation, and with Mrs. John- son he has traveled extensively in the west and in the south. They have visited many places on the Pacific coast, and also the Yellowstone Park.
HON. SAMUEL W. SMITH, who represents the Sixth Congressional district of Michigan in the United States Congress, has won high distinc- tion as a member of that body, and is recognized as one of the leading Republicans in the state. He has been for many years a prominent attorney in Pontiac, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most successful criminal lawyers of southeastern Michigan. He was born in Independence township, Oakland county, Michigan, on August 23, 1852, and is a son of Nicholas B. and Mary ( Phillips) Smith.
Nicholas B. Smith was a native New Yorker, born in Monroe county, who came to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1841, at that time buying eighty acres of wild land in Brandon township which he set about to clear and improve. That work accomplished. he sold the place to good advantage and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Independence township, where he made his home for a number of years. removing then to the village of Clarkston, in which place he engaged in the mercantile business until his death. He married Mary, the daugh- ter of Bildad Phillips, a native of New England. She was born in New York, in 1825, and in her young girlhood she removed with her family to Oakland county, where she met and married her husband some years later. She died in 1856, the mother of two children-Ann Eliza, the wife of Lawrence Clarks, and Samuel W. of this review.
The early education of Samuel W. Smith was received in the schools of Clarkston, followed by a higher course in Detroit schools, after which he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated in 1878. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and immediately afterward began practice in Pontiac, con- tinuing independently for a period of six months. He then formed a partnership with the late Judge Levi B. Taft and Hon. Aaron Perry, the latter continuing for one year as a member of the firm and then retiring. Mr. Smith was associated with Judge Taft in a very extensive practice until the death of the latter. and they won high reputations for legal ability in Oakland county during the years of their association, a professional standard which Mr. Smith has ever retained.
From his early manhood Mr. Smith was an enthusiastic worker in the Republican ranks, and with the passing years has been repeatedly called upon to fill high offices in the public trust. in all of which he has acquitted himself in a manner highly characteristic of the splendid integ- rity of the man. In 1880 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Oakland
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county and served until 1884, when he was elected state senator from the Fifteenth Senatorial district. He took an active part in the discus- sion and passing of a law regulating the sale of oleomargarine to pro- tect the interests of farmers and dairymen, as well as in the bill for the coupling of freight cars, introduced for the protection of railway employees. In all important issues he was to be found protecting the best interests of the people, and he rapidly became popular and promi- nent as the people's unfailing champion. Among other measures for which he fought most indefatigably, and won, was that providing for free rural delivery of mail, and it was through his sturdy endeavors that the Sixth district was one of the first in the country in which the plan was put in operation. Rural routes now supply every farmer in the district with mail,-a condition which ten years ago was considered highly improbable. Through the intervention and efforts of Mr. Smith magnificent federal buildings have been secured for cities within his district, including Lansing, Flint and Pontiac, and in many another telling way has his influence been exerted for the benefit of his con- stituents. His ability as a congressman has been recognized, not alone by the people, but in the house by his fellow legislators, and for many years he has occupied places on important committees. For a number of years prior to the Democratic landslide in the election of 1910, Mr. Smith was chairman of the District of Columbia. in effect, mayor of the city of Washington-and so admirably and capably did he acquit himself in that position that President Taft saw fit to distinctly compli- ment him upon the fact. He is a strong, forcible speaker. well informed on questions of vital importance to the government, and he is as zealous in the general interests of the country as in those of his immediate constituents.
Mr. Smith was married on November 16, 1880, to Miss Alida E. DeLand. a daughter of Edwin and Susan DeLand. She was born near Grass Lake, Michigan. They have become the parents of four sons . F Deland; Ferris N. : Wendell and Harlan S.
Mr. Smith still retains his law office in Pontiac and looks after his legal practice and varied business affairs during his spare hours from his duties in Washington.
EDWARD J. ROCKWELL, one of Oakland county's substantial and rep- resentative citizens, was born in the township of Bloomfield, Oakland county, Michigan, August 15. 1844, and died at his farm in the township of West Bloomfield, November 15, 1898.
Mr. Rockwell was of Puritan ancestry. His first American ancestor, Samuel Rockwell, born March 28, 1631, at Dorchester, Massachusetts. was the son of William and Susannah ( Chapin) Rockwell who came to this country from England on the ship "Mary and John," landing at that place, May 30, 1630.
"Deacon" William Rockwell was one of the founders of Dorchester, where he lived until 1636, when he removed with his family to Windsor, Connecticut, where he resided until his death in 1640. His widow sub- sequently married Matthew Grant, a fellow passenger on the "Mary and John," and one of the descendants of this union was Ulysses S. Grant.
John Rockwell, grandfather of Edward J. Rockwell, was born at Windsor, Connecticut, in 1777. While a young man he removed to Gen- esee county, New York, where he married Sarah Leete. He came to
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Michigan with his family in 1830, settling in Bloomfield, Oakland county, where he died in 1846.
John A., father of Edward J. Rockwell, born in 1800, came to Bloomfield, Oakland county, with his father in 1830, where he purchased a farm in 1831, was married to Louisa Whaley, formerly of Oswego, New York, in 1832, and died in the township of Bloomfield in May. 1849. Eight children were born to them: Sarah A., who married Eli Blakeslee; Elizabeth, who married George Lesley; Janette, who married Henry A. Cline; John E., Henry Clay, Edward J., Charles R., and James E.
Edward J. Rockwell received his education in the district school, and subsequently took a commercial course in Bryant and Stratton's Com- mercial College, Detroit. He successfully followed the occupation of farming in Oakland county, excepting about two years spent in the state of Nebraska. He was married July 4, 1867, to Miss Abigail Pearsall, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Hutchins ) Pearsall. pioneers of Oak- land county. To them were born three sons: Kleber P .. Desiax, who died December 16, 1903, and Samuel P.
Mr. Rockwell's wife Abigail, who survives him and now resides in Pontiac, is a descendant of the early settlers of this country. Her father. Samuel Pearsall. born in New York, February 13, 1799, came to Bloom- field, Oakland county, in 1829, where he died in September, 1877.
He was a son of Clark Pearsall, born in Connecticut. November. 16. 1769. Samuel Pearsall's mother, Abigail Sebree, was the daughter of Colonel Sebree, an officer in the Revolutionary war.
Mrs. Rockwell's mother, Elizabeth ( Hutchins ) Pearsall, born at Rocka- way, Long Island, January 13. 1804. was the daughter of Daniel Hutch- ins, born in Connecticut, January 27, 1770, and Mary DeMott, born in New York City, August 26, 1781. She was a lineal descendant of the VanDykes, one of the early Holland families who settled in Manhattan, now New York City.
Mr. Rockwell held many local positions of trust tendered him without solicitation, which were filled by him with care and honor. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell was a hospitable one, as many can attest.
Mr. Rockwell was one of the trustees of the Methodist Protestant church, at Franklin, of which they were members. He was a man of honestly and integrity and was honored and respected by all who knew him.
HON. KLEBER P. ROCKWELL, one of the prominent lawyers of Oakland county, was born in the township of Bloomfield. Oakland county, and is a son of the late Edward J. Rockwell, of West Bloomfield, his great-grandfathers being among the earliest settlers of Oakland county, and descendants of William Rockwell, who located at Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630.
Judge Rockwell was reared to young manhood upon a farm. Ile received his education in the public schools, began teaching school at the age of twenty and later supplemented his education with a college course at the Fenton Normal School and College. Politically, he is a republican, and in 1898 was nominated and elected prosecuting attorney by that party, with increased majorities for three successive terms, declin- ing a fourth term. Judge Rockwell was identified with some of the most important criminal trials in the history of the county and was recognized as being one of the most successful prosecutors in the state.
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Judge Rockwell enjoys the singular distinction of being endorsed by both of the leading political parties for election of delegate to the constitutional convention that framed the present state constitution. As a member of the constitutional convention he served upon the judiciary and public utilities committees. In 1908 he was elected judge of probate, and in 1912 was reelected to succeed himself with the largest vote given to any of the candidates. In 1902 he formed a copartnership with Hon. Henry M. Zimmerman under the firm name of Rockwell & Zimmerman, enjoying a large and lucrative law practice, which partnership continued until Judge Rockwell assumed the duties of judge of probate January I, 1909.
Judge Rockwell is recognized as one of the leading members of the Oakland County Bar, is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association and of the State and National Association of Probate Judges. He was married September 10, 1896, to Miss Maude A. King, daughter of the late George W. King, of Clarkston, and to them were born five children, four daughters and a son; Alice, Helen, Florence, Margaret and Edward G.
GEORGE W. KING, one of the influential and honored citizens of Oak- land county, was born May 11, 1835, at Port Byron, New York. He removed with his parents to Michigan in 1844 and settled on a farm in Independence township, Oakland county, where he resided until his death, April 2. 1892.
William King, the father of George W. King, was born in Hartford. Connecticut, June 2, 1805, removing to Port Byron, New York, in early life and engaging in the grocery business and later becoming a cooper. After removing to Independence, Oakland county, in 1844, he began farming and continued to reside on the same farm during his lifetime. He died August 4, 1864. He was a Whig and later a Republican and was an ardent temperance worker. He had two sisters and three brothers : Amy, James, Roxy, Erastus, Moses and Timothy.
Eliza (Cross) King, the mother of George W. King, was born in Somersetshire, England, March 1, 1811. When fourteen years of age she came to America with her parents. Her father, George Cross, was a carpenter and farmer and settled in Cicero, New York. She had eight brothers: John, William, Henry, George, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and Benjamin. Of these brothers one was a sailor, three farmers and three ministers.
Mr. King had four sisters: Jane, who married William Adams, Caroline, who married Nelson Ellwood; Mary L., who married Theodore S. Phillips; Ellen, who died when a child; and one brother, William Henry, who died in the Civil war.
Mr. King the subject of this sketch, was married in 1859 to Miss Henrietta E. Stout, of White Lake, Oakland county. He is survived by his wife and four children, three sons and one daughter: William Henry, John M., Spencer S., and Maude A. (now Mrs. K. P. Rockwell).
Henrietta E. (Stout) King, was a daughter of James and Rebecca (Sutphin) Stout. Her father, James Stout, was born at Lyons, New York, April 12, 1799; came to Michigan in 1837 and settled in the town- ship of West Bloomfield. In 1840 he removed to the township of Spring- field and followed farming pursuits until his death, December 12, 1856.
Rebecca (Sutphin) Stout was born at Lyons, New York, April 17,
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1805, and was married May 23, 1826. She was a daughter of John Sutphin who was born March 31, 1759, at South Amboy, New Jersey. Mr. Sutphin married Miss Anna Snedecar, who was born June 9, 1769, in New Jersey. Mr. Sutphin enlisted in the Revolutionary war in 1776 and served with distinction to the close of the war and died at Lyons, New York, October 3, 1832.
Mr. King studied law for a time but finally became a teacher and thus continued for thirty-one years. He also carried on his farm and held the position of postmaster at Clarkston during the administration of James A. Garfield, and also one term under Benjamin Harrison's administra- tion.
He was a republican and an earnest advocate of the principles enun- ciated by that party. He always took a keen interest in public matters and in the public schools and was director of the school board of his district for nineteen years. Ile was a man of sterling qualities and held in high esteem by all who knew him.
THADDEUS DEWITT SEELEY, the son of George H. and Sarah ( Prall) Seeley, was born on what is now a part of the Pontiac State Hospital Farm, in the city of Pontiac, on August 26, 1867. At the age of four years he removed with his parents into Waterford township, and there in due time began his education in the district schools of the community, followed by a course in the Pontiac high school.
In 1888 Mr. Seeley married and moved to Bay City, Michigan, where he was engaged in operating a large dairy farm and in raising pure bred Holstein cattle. After five years of residence at this point he returned to Oakland county, where he lived for a year in the township of Grove- land and then removed to Bloomfield township on the east branch of Long Lake, three miles south of Pontiac, and here he resided for fourteen years. During this time he was engaged in farming and in the extensive handling of live stock. In 1908 Mr. Seeley sold his farm in Bloomfield township and removed to Pontiac, here engaging in the hardware business with R. D. Tobin and continuing in that association for two years, since which time he has given practically his entire attention to the care of his real estate interests in Oakland county, which have assumed generous proportions with the passing years.
Mr. Seeley has always been a member of the Republican party and has on a number of occasions been honored by that party in his election to important offices. In 1900 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives from the First District of Oakland county, and succeeded himself in the office in 1002. In 1904 he was the choice of the people for state senator from the Twelfth Senatorial District, then comprising the counties of Oakland and Macomb. He was returned to the senate in 1906, and it is a noteworthy fact that the eight years of legislative service thus rendered is the longest service ever given by a citizen of Oakland county.
In his career as representative and senator Mr. Seeley at all times gave the most praiseworthy service to his district, and occupied various positions of importance in the legislative bodies. In the session of 1907 he was chairman of the Senate Railroad Committee, and it was this committee that shaped much of the important legislation of that session. including the Railroad Commission Act and the Two Cent Fare law. In 1010 he was a member of the Charter Revision Committee which drafted
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the new city charter, giving to Pontiac the commission form of govern- ment.
Mr. Seeley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was district deputy for Eastern Mich- igan in the latter order in 1911, and its representative to the Grand Lodge of the order at Portland, Oregon, in 1912.
In 1888 Mr. Seeley was united in marriage with Eva M., daughter of Samuel A. and Mary (Kimball) Palmer. They are the parents of three children : Florence L., principal of high school at Orion, Michigan; Mable J., at home; George Palmer, at home.
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