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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 148 - 149 |
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WARREN SEAMAN
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Wexford county is characterized by her full share of the honored pioneer element, who have done so much for the development of this country and the establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well favored section. The biographical sketches in this volume are largely of this class of useful citizens and it is not in the least too early to record in print the principle items in the lives of these hard working and honest people, giving honor to whom honor is due. They will soon be gone and the past can have no better history or memento than these records. Warren Seaman, the subject of this review, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, on a farm, May 16, 1834. His parents were John and Lucretia (Wyllys) Seaman, the former a native of Ulster county, New York, while the latter was born in Massachusetts. They came to Michigan in 1842, located in Hillsdale county, and ten years later, in 1852, moved to Muskegon county, locating at Casnovia, where they remained until their deaths, she at eighty-eight years of age, and he at the age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom Warren, the subject of this review, was the fifth. When Warren Seaman first viewed the pine-clad hills of Michigan he was only eight years old. During the ten years of the family's residence in Hillsdale county he was occupied most of the time in the woods, the clearing and on the farm. A portion of the time he attended such schools as the commonwealth afforded in the locality, and managed, through persistent efforts, to secure a fair education. In 1855, about the time that he attained his majority, he moved to a farm near Big Rapids where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and lumbering. This he continued until May, 1869, when he came to Wexford county and settled on the farm in Cedar Creek township where he now resides and which has been his residence continuously for thirty-four years. He entered the land as a homestead, eighty acres in extent, and upon it built a log house. Later he purchased forty acres contiguous to his homestead, which gives him a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in one body. Since then the log house has been replaced by a neat, commodious frame house and the other farm buildings have been improved in accordance therewith. Eighty acres of the tract have been cleared, are well cultivated and exceedingly productive. A fine, bearing orchard of ten acres in extent, containing over five hundred trees, adds largely to the receipts of the place. There are about two hundred peach trees, one hundred plum trees and one hundred pear trees, the remainder being apple trees. The fruit is all of the finest and most desirable varieties. At Casnovia, Muskegon county, Michigan, September 16, 1855. Warren Seaman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Moore, a native of Ohio, born October 7, 1838. She is the daughter of Drayton H. and Zilpha S. (Loumis) Moore, both natives of Massachusetts. He died at Casnovia when seventy-three years of age, while she is still a resident of that place, being aged about eighty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Seaman five children have been born, viz. Zelpha L., Judd J., Sylvester R., Drayton W. and Mary Ella. Zelpha died in infancy and Mary Ella is the wife John W. Hubbell. The people of Cedar Creek township have honored Warren
Seaman with various local offices. He has served as supervisor seven years,
justice of the peace four years and highway commissioner several terms. Public
matters of all kinds, but particularly those relating to the locality in which
he resides, always command his attention. In politics he is disposed to be
independent, but generally acts with the Republican party. He and his wife are
adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church and in his younger days he was quite
active in the cause of religion. He has a happy home, a noble family and one of
the finest farms in the county. Contentment reigns over his household and
domestic peace is a constant guest. The day of trial is past and in its place
has come rest and enjoyment, a most welcome change. Many other changes also have
been brought about since the country's early settlement. One in particular
commands especial notice. When Warren Seaman first located in Cedar Creek
township, thirty-four years ago, the nearest postoffice was Sherman, seventeen
miles away. |