Francis C. Selby

Francis C. Selby

Contributed by Darla Stimbert

page 426 then cont. on page 431

Francis C. Selby, merchant and postmaster at Volney, Beaver Township, was born April 18, 1836, in Hamilton Co., OH. His father, George W. Selby was born July 5, 1813, in the State of Virginia, and removed in early manhood to Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he resided 8 years and them moved ot Adams Co., Ind., whence he came to Kalamazoo CO., Mich. and subsequently to Allegan County, where he is still resident. The mother, Mary Ann (Banksten)) Selby, was born in Vermont and died in Adams Co., Ind.

Mr Selby was chiefly engaged in the several places where his parents resided, in obtaining his education and fitting himself for active life. On attaining his majority he set out to establisch himself in the world and to do all in his power to secure for himself the practical benefits of honest industry and energetic effort, put into operation under the guidence of his best impulses and judgment. He selected Winnebago Co., ILL as a field of opertaion, where in engaged in farming near the city of Rockford, residing there two years. He returned to Kalamazoo County, where he spend a similar period in a like manner then engaged in the mercantile business for two years. Natual impulses of his manhood, under the influences which ruled the entire NOrth in the first years of the Souther Rebellion, led him to take a deep intersted in the progress of the contest which becamethe central object ot the interest of the whole world, and he enlisted Feb 29, 1864, in the 13th MIch. Vol. Inf. Co. H. The command was assighted to the 14th Army Corps and attached to the second brigade. He servied until the end of the war, engaging in numerous skirmishes and two importan battles, Bentonville and Goldsboro, N. C.

On recieving his discharge he returned to Kalamazoo County. He them moved to the county of Allegan, where he was in agriculteral pursuits four years. On selling out, he went to Ottawa Station, Ottawa County, near Holland, where he again established himself in the merchantile life. Two years later he transferred his business to Revanna, Muskegon County, wgere he conducted his affairs about the same period of time. He founded his present business enterprise in June, 1881, and is managing carefully and with satisfactory results. He is also engaged in farming to some extent, and is associated with WIlliam Nixon in the proprietorship of a saw-mill located on section 19, which has a producing capacity of 12,000 feet of lumber daily. It is under the special charge and management of Mr. Nixon.

Mr. Selby has been twice married. Huldah C. Stilwell, the first wife to whom he was married, April 19, 1859, was born Dec 10, 1841, and was the daughter of Elias and Sarah (Underwood) Stillwell, born respectively in Ohio and Canada. By this marriage there were five children; Mary Ann, now the wife of John Stoddard, Sophronia, now Mrs. N. A. Clark; the others are William H., Stella G. and Sarah S. Mrs. S. died May 20, 1872. The second marriage of Mrs Selby occurred Feb 28, 1873, to Mrs. Mattie A. (Platt) Longley, born in Cattaraugus Co., NY Dec 18, 1842. Her father, Daniel Platt was born July 13, 1798. He was a Baptist minister, was a graduate of Madison University, Hamilton, NY and preached 40 years. He died Sept 18, 1868. Her mother, Almira (Skinner) Platt, was born Nov 24, 1805. Bother were natives of the Empire state and located in after life in Allegan Co., Mich., in 1846, and the mother died there May 18, 1873. Her first husband was lost in 1862, at the battle of Stone River. He left a daughter, Julia F., now the wife of Charles Ackerman, of Ravenna , Muskegan County. Mr. and Mrs. Selby have two children, - Frankie C. and Dayton D.

Mr. Selby acts with the Democratice party in political issues. He received his appointment as Postmaster in 1881, from President Garfield. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1882, and is also School Inspector of Beaver Township.

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