My Genealogy Hound

ANDREW J. SEELY, who is numbered among the leading men in Seneca County engaged in agricultural pursuits, has been a life-long resident of the town of Romulus, and was born here April 28, 1828. From boyhood he has followed the plow, sown the grain, and season after season has reaped a rich harvest. While his life may have been an uneventful one, he has the satisfaction of knowing that it has been such as to benefit and not injure his fellow-man.

Our subject comes of excellent stock. His grandfather, Jonas Seely, who was a native of Orange County, came to this county in 1793, and took a very prominent part in developing its material interests. He located in the town of Romulus, where he purchased a large tract of land and engaged extensively in farming. Being a man of positive convictions, and one who had considerable enterprise and pluck, his ability was soon recognized by his fellow-citizens, and he was elected Associate Judge of the county, filling the duties of the office in a very acceptable manner. He also served his county in the Legislature for several terms, being first elected in 1819. In educational matters he was greatly interested, and took an active part in the organization of the school districts and in the establishment of the public schools. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and adhered to that party until his death, at the age of seventy-two years.

Hiram Seely, our subject’s father, was born on the old homestead in the town of Romulus on which Andrew J. was born. Here he lived from boyhood to young manhood, and in ripe old age passed to his reward. By his marriage with Laura Seely he had six children: Andrew J., Auzuba B., Theana E., Abigail (who died in infancy), Abigail and Thaddeus E.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, and received but a limited education in the public schools. He continued working for his father without remuneration until thirty years of age, when he began working for himself. However, he remained at home with his parents, and on the death of the father took charge of the home farm, controlling the same until forty-one years of age, when he was united in marriage with Miss Annie E. Simpson, who is also a native of Seneca County. After their marriage they removed to a rented farm, which he continued to cultivate for two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Seely three children were born, Leon, Laura M. and Ernest, but the second-born is now deceased.

In 1892, after living on various farms, our subject removed to the old homestead on which he was born, and where he has since continued to reside. He has never taken a very active interest in political affairs, but in all general and state elections votes the Democratic ticket.