Sealine, Oliver (1851-1926)

SEALINE, LINDQUIST, LUNDQUIST, BERGGREN

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:51:58

Stanhope Sentinel
May 20, 1926

Oliver Sealine Passes to Reward

Aged Resident of Community Dictates Own Obituary and Funeral Arrangements

Oliver Sealine, son of Andrew and Anna Sealine, was born at Tönnersjö, Halland, Sweden, February 28, 1851, and died at his farm home at Stanhope, Iowa, May 14, 1926, at the age of 75 years, 2 months and 16 days.

He with his parents emigrated to America when he was three years of age, and located at Moline, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming.

At the age of 22 years, he came to Iowa and acquired some land in this community, where he henceforth lived, in what is now Hamilton County.

He was united in marriage to Lottie Lindquist, May 27, 1880, and this union was blessed with eight children, one little girl, Nora dying in infancy. The remaining seven live in the surrounding vicinity, Mrs. Nettie Lundquist and Mrs. Elvira M. Berggren, of Stanhope, Arvil L., of Jewell, Anton E., of Stanhope, and three still at home, Arnold F., Esther and Reuben A., who live in the old home with their mother. Though a vigorous man, and observant of hygienic measures and physical culture, the deceased had been in failing health for a number of years, probably from internal tumor or cancer and secondary anemia, and for eight months had been confined to his bed. In all this he was patient and kind and took his condition philosophically and in faith. Many old friends frequently visited him in his sickness to whom he expressed himself as being satisfied with his portion of life.

Last September he dictated the above bare facts of his biography for this obituary, giving directions for his funeral, including choice of the scriptures, which are 1 Thess. 4:13, 14; 1 Cor. 15:12, 15, 14, and saying that a minister of his own faith speak or none at all, and adding that he wished no flowers, and saying, "I have had my flowers while I lived". At the same time he stated his faith as follows: "There is one God and one meditator, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for All, who is coming back to restore all things and shall raise the dead from their graves. Until then, rest in peace." In this hope his trust. In this faith and hope he was baptized in 1879 by Dr. Charles Lee, of Minneapolis. He had always been religiously inclined. Reared in the Lutheran faith, when it came to confirmation, because he doubtingly questioned the minister over the endless dorment of dead infants, he suffered considerable persecution. But this did not daunt his desire for truth, but in America he continued independent and fearless search, though at one time he was discouraged by his loneliness and condemnation or loss of hope for his salvation. About this time he came in contact with the Seventh Day Adventist teaching, which encouraged him some because of their views of something better than the doctrine of endless torment.

Next he met the teaching of Chas. T. Russell which encouraged him more yet, because of their views of a largeness of hope in the future age of Restitution, and in the light thus so cheering he continued to advance till he rejoiced in the fullness of salvation expressed in the word "All" in Paul's words to Timothy above quoted in his faith.

In business, brother Sealine was successful in a marked degree. His industry and extreme economy, combined with sagacity, brought into his hands quite a fortune in land and money, despite the fact that he was extremely generous to the needy. Only the widows, the sick, the poor, and the unfortunate who have received of his bounty, know how much he quietly gave away, often unknown to his wife and family. In late years he occupied prominent places in business, such as president of the Farmers Elevator and director of the Stanhope State Bank. But the light was in scripture truth. Visitors to his home commonly spent a short time into religious conversation, and he was called peculiar in that sense in which the scriptures speak of the blessedness of those who are peculiar in God's favored way of truth and good works, for this was his ruling passion from childhood to the end. A respected citizen and kind and faithful father has thus left to mourn his loss his faithful wife, and children, and a host of relatives and friends and brethern in a common faith and hope in Christ.

At outdoor service was held from the home Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m., which a very large crowd attended.

Bro. J.W. Williams of the Church of God of Gladbrook, Iowa, spoke words of comfort from the above scriptures requested.

The singers were: John Iverson, Mrs. William Johnson, Mrs. E.J. Johnson and E.G. Fardal. Interment was made in South Marion Cemetery. The pallbearers were: Nels and Andrew Peterson, Charley and August Carlson, and Frank and John Erickson.

Note: Also published in the Stratford Courier on May 20, 1926.