The Valley of Heart's Delight
CHARLES R SEELY
Surnames: Seely,
Crook, Southern, Stewart, Stuart, Coats, Turner, Blaisdell
contributed by jchavnar
From: Pen Pictures from the Garden of the World or Santa Clara County,
California, Illustrated. Edited by H.S. Foote, Published, Chicago: The
Lewis Publishing Company 1888. Pages 240-241
Charles R. Seely was born in Cattaraugus
County, New York, in 1830. His parents, Norman B. and Lydia (Crook)
Seely, were natives of New York. In 1835 his father moved to Whiteside
County, Illinois, and in 1840 removed to Jones County, Iowa, where he
pursued the occupation of a farmer. He was also the owner of a lumber
mill. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools,
and reared as a farmer. When nineteen years of age he rented a farm and
entered into business on his own account as a farmer and stock-raiser.
In 1849 Mr. Seely was united in marriage with Miss Salena Southern, the
daughter of John and Elizabeth Southern, natives of Virginia, but
residents of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa. In 1853 he came by the Isthmus
route to California. Upon his arrival in San Francisco he proceeded
immediately to Dorado County, and in connection with his father
purchased a hay farm. After one year he sold out his interest in this
farm and engaged in the occupation of freighting supplies from
Sacramento to the mines. In May 1855, he returned to his home in Iowa,
where he remained until 1857.
In this latter year he came
overland to California, bringing his family with him, and located in
Solano County, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land.
For the next ten years he resided there, devoting his land to the
production of grain and to raising stock. In 1867 he returned to the
old homestead in Iowa, upon which he made extensive improvements, with
the design of spending the remainder of his days there, but the
delights of California climate and the varied productions of its soil
induced him to change his mind. In 1869 he again crossed the plains
with his family, located in Solano County and purchased six hundred and
forty acres of land. His title to this land proved worthless, and after
two years' residence there he removed to Stanislaus County, and
purchased one thousand four hundred and sixty-one acres of land, most
of which he devoted to grain. He resided upon this land until 1881.
Desiring a change of climate and an easier mode of life, in the latter
year he removed to Santa Clara County, and located in San Jose. In 1886
he purchased a fine orchard property and home on Bascom Avenue, about
one mile south of Santa Clara. There are forty-eight and one-half acres
in this tract, all of which is in orchard except that portion occupied
by his beautiful residence, extensive grounds and out-buildings. Among
the latter is a fruit-dryer, with a capacity of three tons per day. His
orchard is one of the finest in that section of the county, and Mr.
Seely is an enthusiast in his new occupation. He has sixteen acres each
of apricots and French prunes. His orchard is also producing peaches,
pears, plums, cherries, walnuts, almonds, and figs.
Mr. Seely
has made a success in his farming operations, and has secured a
competency. The same intelligent and energetic principles applied to
his calling as an orchardist, coupled with his sound business views are
bound to produce like results. He is a consistent member of the
Methodist Church. Politically a strong Republican, he is still liberal
and conservative in all political actions.
Of the thirteen
children from the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Seely, but eight are living,
viz.: Martin B., Mary Belle, Hattie, George B., Gertrude, Charles R.,
Alice, and Lillie. Martin B. married Miss Emma Mahoney. Mary Belle
married Augustus Stewart (should be STUART). Hattie married Frank
Coats. George B. married Miss Margaret Turner. All the above are
residing in Stanislaus County. Gertrude married Charles Blaisdell, now
deceased. Mrs. Blaisdell and the other children reside with their
parents.
From: Pen Pictures from the Garden of the World or Santa Clara County,
California, Illustrated. Edited by H.S. Foote, Published, Chicago: The
Lewis Publishing Company 1888. Pages 240-241
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