James W. Seay (1822-1919)

SEAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:30:02

Captain James W. Seay
(March 3, 1822 – September 20, 1919)

This well known farmer residing on section 35, Jackson Township, dates his residence in Iowa from April, 1846, and since 1882 he has made his home in Calhoun County. He was born in Washington County, Virginia, on the 3d of March. 1822, and is a son of Captain Warren M. Seay, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, his birth having occurred on the James river in Powhattan County in 1781. The family is of French origin and was founded in Virginia in old colonial days. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Michael Seay, was born in that state and was one of the valiant men who fought so bravely for American independence during the Revolutionary war. His son, Warren M., held a captain's commission in the war of 1812 and served with distinction in that struggle. The latter was married in his native state to Mrs. Mary Jackson, whose first husband was also a soldier of the war of 1812 and died at Norfolk, Virginia. Her maiden name was Mary Holsapple, and she was born in Pennsylvania, but reared in the Old Dominion. In 1846 Captain Warren M. Seay, accompanied by his wife and children, came to Iowa and settled in Jefferson county, where be spent three years. He then started for Jasper County, but on the removal to that place was accidentally killed. His wife survived him a number of years. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom reached mature years and became residents of Jasper County, Iowa, but only our subject and his brother John M. are now living. The latter still makes his home in Jasper County. In his native state James W. Seay grew to manhood upon a farm and in early life joined the Virginia State Militia, in which he rose to the rank of captain. On the 1st of March, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Owens, who was also born in Washington county, and the day following their marriage they started west with his father's family, arriving in Burlington, Iowa, on the 15th of April. Our subject first located in Jefferson County, seven miles west of Fairfield, where he engaged in farming on rented land for three years, and in the spring of 1849 removed to Jasper County. Entering one hundred and sixty acres of land near the present town of Monroe, he broke, fenced and improved that place and engaged in its operation for almost a third of a century. On selling that place in 1882 he came to Calhoun County and purchased his present farm, which at that time was fairly improved, and to its further development and cultivation he has since devoted his energies. Tie has remodeled the residence and outbuildings, and has made many other useful and valuable improvements. There is a good bearing orchard of two hundred trees of a nice variety, besides a large maple grove, which adds greatly to the beauty of the place. Captain Seay and wife have six children, namely: Elizabeth, now the wife of Mr. Clice, of Nebraska; Jesse, a farmer of Carroll County, Iowa; James W., who assists in farming the home place; Mary E., wife of
Edward Miles, of Lake City; John T. C, also a resident of Lake City; and Beverly J. C, who is married and lives on the home farm with his parents. Since casting his first presidential vote for General Lewis Cass, Captain Seay has never wavered in his allegiance to the Democratic party, and while a resident of Jasper county, Iowa, served as constable, supervisor, road commissioner and a member of the school board. His official duties were most creditably and satisfactorily performed, and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he has done all in his power to advance the interests of the communities with which he has been connected. During the long years of his residence in this state he has watched with interest its growth and advancement, and has materially aided in the development of the localities where his lot has been cast. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.439]