My Genealogy Hound

HIAL PAUL SEAVY, manager of the Grand Opera House, of Columbia, Tenn., was born near Woodstock, of the “Green Mountain State,” May 21, 1842, son of Isaac and Rebecca (Paul) Seavy, of New Hampshire. Hial’s early days were spent in Vermont, where he secured an academical education. At the age of twenty he left the farm and learned photography in New York City, where he remained three years as apprentice and journeyman. In 1868 he came to Columbia, Tenn., and purchased a gallery in the city, and has successfully carried on the business ever since, but has done this in connection with other callings. He is an accomplished musician, and served in the Federal Army as leader of the Second Vermont Brigade Band. He organized the celebrated Columbia Helicon Band, of which he was leader for eight years until it disbanded. He has also been connected with journalism for the last ten years, and has been regular correspondent at Columbus for Nashville dailies during this time. Since the erection of the new opera house he has been its efficient manager. In 1869 he married Louise G. Strachauer, a native of Nashville, and they are the parents of two sons and one daughter. He belongs to what is popularly known in Tennessee as the “sky-blue Democracy.” He is a Mason, Royal Arch degree, and is Post Chancellor of the K. of P. lodge, but is not a member of the present lodge.