My Genealogy Hound

Daniel Seeley, a prominent farmer and leading capitalist of Springfield township, resides on one of the best improved farms in his part of the county. Mr. Seeley’s farm is located in sections to and 15, contains 120 acres and is adorned by a handsome brick residence and three commodious barns. Mr. Seeley was born October 3, 1871, in Rose township, Oakland County, Michigan, and is a son of Daniel and Mary A. (Terbush) Seeley.

The Seeley family is of New England ancestry. Our subject’s grandfather was Daniel Seeley, who came from the Eastern coast of New York at an early day. There his children were born, namely: Charles; Mrs. Jane Wagner; Gilbert and Daniel.

Daniel Seeley, our subject’s father was born in New York December 9, 1 821, and came to Michigan about 1840, engaged in farming and in writing insurance, and died September 5, 1900, aged 78 years. He was a man of remarkable business success: beginning life as a poor boy, by industry and frugality he acquired a large fortune which, at his death, was valued at about $100,000. He was prominent in Rose township, Oakland County, where, on account of his sterling character, he was on many occasions made administrator of estates and guardian of minor children. In politics he was always identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally he was a Mason and a Knight Templar in the order. He was married first to Hannah Brown, of Wilson, Niagara County, New York, who at death in 1856 left three children, viz: Mrs. Helen Montgomery, now deceased; Mrs. Mary Taylor, of Holly, Oakland County; and Wallace, who died in 1858 at the age of 19 months. His second marriage, in 1857, was to Mary A. Terbush, who was born at Flushing, Genesee County, Michigan, in 1838 and is a daughter of Alexander Terbush. The seven children born to this marriage are: Andrew, of Rose township, Oakland County; Mrs. Sarah Patterson, of Holly, Oakland County; Clyde C., of Holly, Oakland County; Mrs. Grace Wilson, of Port Huron, Michigan; Mrs. Lillian Mosher, of Holly; Burton, of Rose township, Oakland County; and Daniel, our subject.

Daniel Seeley, our subject, was reared and educated in Rose township, acquiring there both a knowledge of books and of practical farming. He came to his present valuable farm in 1900 and made it one of the best and most productive in the township. His Shropshire sheep and Durham cattle equal any in Springfield township; he feeds 100 head of the former and 15 head of the latter and also raises some horses. His land is very productive, some of the returns being 35 tons of hay, 700 bushels of grain and 1,100 bushels of potatoes in a season. His place is very attractive on account of its fine improvements and general air of good management.

In March, 1895, Mr. Seeley was married to Hattie Van Dusen, who was born in Davisburg, and is a daughter of Myron and Frances (Hickey) Van Dusen. The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Seeley are: D. Myron, Marion F. and Daniel, Jr.

Politically Mr. Seeley is liberal. Fraternally, he belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Seeley stands high in public esteem and his views are given consideration in all public matters.