LEVI SEASS. The publishers of this volume would fail in their purpose of recording the lives of those who have been useful and are worthy of note, were they to omit mention of the successful career of Mr. Seass. He is the owner of one of the best farms in Moultrie County, and was for several years engaged in the agricultural implement business in Arthur, representing the Pitts Agricultural Company, of Buffalo, N.Y. He also engaged in the grain business, and built a large elevator in Arthur. He handled all kinds of implements and farming machinery, and during the years he was thus engaged only added to the reputation which he had already won —- that of an honorable man, trustworthy in all business relations.

The father of our subject, Jacob Seass, was a native of Pennsylvania, but has passed the greater part of his life in Moultrie County. Here he was married in October, 1843, to Miss Jane Patterson, a native of Illinois, and an estimable woman, who still survives. They had a family of five children, who lived to maturity, our subject being the eldest. He was born in Moultrie County, Ill., October 20, 1846, and was reared to manhood upon his father's farm. His earliest recollections are of the scenes of pioneer life, and he has been a witness of the rapid growth of Illinois. During his youth schools were few and far between, educational advantages proportionately limited, and he had few opportunities to gain an education. He gleaned the rudiments of knowledge from the old text-books then in vogue, and at an early age acquired a love for learning which has induced him to read the best of literature, and keep posted upon all current events, until he has now that best of educations —- the one gained in the school of which experience is the teacher.

With the exception of four years passed in Arthur, our subject has spent his entire life within the limits of Jonathan Creek Township. He now owns five hundred and thirty-six acres on sections 13, 14, 15 and 22, and is numbered among the most successful agriculturists of the county. He was married August 20, 1867, in Jonathan Creek Township, to Miss Elizabeth A. Powell. This estimable lady, who is the daughter of Nelson E. and Elvira (Henry) Powell, was born in Shelby County, this State, May 28, 1851. Mrs. Seass is a lady of culture and refinement, which is manifested in her home and shown by the circle of friends she has gathered around her, people of the highest worth and intelligence.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Seass comprises six children, namely: Aurora L., Elvira J., Llewellyn D., Bertha E., Nellie C. and Waverly W. The parents have given the children the best possible educational advantages, and have endeavored in every way to fit them for the duties of life awaiting them. Mr. Seass has served as Supervisor of Jonathan Creek Township for two terms, and as Township Treasurer one term, discharging the duties of both positions in a manner creditable alike to himself and his constituents. He was appointed Census Enumerator in 1800 (sic; probably 1890, though the records of this census were destroyed in a 1921 fire, and it is thus impossible to verify this). In the fall of that year he was a candidate for the legislature on the Independent ticket, and polled a large vote, running ahead of his ticket.

Upright and honorable in all his dealings, the course in life followed by Mr. Seass has been such as to secure the confidence and warm friendship of all with whom he is brought in contact. His dealings are always marked with the strictest integrity and fairness, and he has gained a competency through his arduous and systematic exertions. He is an honored citizen of this community, and it is with pleasure that we present this brief sketch of his life to our readers.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 650/651

Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb