Shelby  County,  Indiana
Biographies

Liberty  J.  Seely

          Liberty J. Seely was reared on the farm where he now lives. For many years before his father's death, he took charge of the farm thus lightening the burden of his father in his old age. He was married to Miss Margaret E. Newton, in of New Jersey. By this marriage there were five children, Melvin D., born June 19, 1866; Florence E., born August 5, 1868; Jefferson, deceased, aged two years; Ethyl L., born November 26, 1880, and Anna May, born February 6, 1885.  Mr. Seely was born in Liberty Township, January 24, 1837. He is one of the worthy and representative men of his township. His father, Hiram Seely, came to Fayette County, Indiana, in 1817. He started very poor in life, but had a good trade; he remained at home until his marriage, August 8, 1824, to Miss Anna Gunn, when he started for himself. He came to Shelby County in 1835. He was a hard working, honest man, and made a success of life. He died July 28, 1872, and his wife July 26, 1881, aged respectively seventy-one and eighty.
History of Shelby County, Indiana, Chicago: Brant & Fuller, 1887, "Liberty Sketches", p 693.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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          The father of the subject of this sketch, Hiram Seely, was a native of Kentucky, and come to Fayette County with his mother at the age of 17. He worked with her on the land she bought until his marriage, which took place in 1824. Aug, 8, he was united to Miss Anna Gunn, daughter of James and Jane Gunn. He and his wife worked out by the day and month for twelve years and came to Shelby County in 1836, having saved money enough to enter 80 acres of land in the woods and green timbers.  They were not discouraged by any of the hardships the early settlers were forced to undergo, and were successful in making a home for themselves and their children.  They had eight children, as follows:  John (deceased),  Robert M. (deceased),  America, (deceased),  Infant (deceased),  Elizabeth J.,  Mary Ann,  Liberty J.,  Malvina.  They afterward added 40 acres to their 80.  Mr. Seely died July 28, 1872.  Mrs. Seely is still living at the advanced age of 79, and makes her home with her son.
          Liberty J. was born in Shelby County shortly after his father came, his birth taking place on the 24th of January, 1837.  His life has almost entirely been passed at home on the farm, and his is now living on the old home place, having bought out the other heirs.  He married Feb. 26, 1863, in Waldron, to Mragaret Newton and they have been blessed with three children, viz.,  Melvin D.,  Florence E.  and  Jefferson (deceased).  Mrs. Seely is the daughter of  William and Sallie Newton, and has fulfilled all the duties of wife and mother, and is an excellent housekeeper.  Their pleasant home, of which a view may be seen in this work, is situated three miles north of Waldron, on the Waldron & Cynthiana Pike.  Mr. Seely is a Republican as was his father before him, and his father, in speaking of how he caem to be a Republican, used to tell this story.  When they came from Kentucky, in crossing the Ohio River, his mother fell through the ice, and, in getting out, took cold; they were cared for by Gen. Harrison, and it was then he became a Republican.
Atlas of Shelby Co., Indiana, Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co, 1880, pg 71.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

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