Thursday, April 18, 2019

Seavers in the News -- Everett Seaver Dies in 1923 in Staten Island, New York

It's time for another edition of "Seavers in the News" - a weekly feature from the historical newspapers about persons with the surname Seaver that are interesting, useful, mysterious, fun, macabre, or add information to my family tree database.

This week's entry is from the The Fitchburg [Mass.] Sentinel newspaper dated 5 July 1923:

The transcription of the article is:

"LAST RITES FOR EVERETT SEAVER

"Former Townsend Selectman and School Board Member, Aged 79, Was Known as a Scholar

"TOWNSEND, July 5 -- Everett W. Seaver, a native and former resident of this town, died Saturday of a cerebral hemorrhage at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Vernon Saunders of Westerleigh, Staten Island.  He was 79 years old and is survived by two daughters, Mrs. J. Edward Seaver of Boston and Mrs. Vernon Saunders of Westerleigh, two granddaughters, Lucile and Nancy Saunders, and several nephews and nieces.

"Funeral services were held at the home of his niece, Mrs. John T. Hurley Monday afternoon and a large gathering of the townspeople united with the relatives in their last tribute of respect.

"Rev. Joseph McKean, pastor of the Baptist church at West Townsend, a personal friend, delivered a eulogy, closing with a favorite poem, 'Somewhere.'

"Burial was in the family lot at the Hillside cemetery.  A delegation from North Star lodge, I.O.O.F., escorted the body to the grave and conducted the burial service of the order.  The bearers were Timothy Flarity and George Wilder of the Center and Herman L. Stickney and Fred A. Patch of West Townsend.  The floral tributes were profuse.  The flag at the Town hall was at half mast as a tribute to Mr. Seaver's long service in town office.

"Mr. Seaver was the son of Abram and Charlotte (Scales) Seaver and was born at Townsend Feb. 15, 1844.  Most of his early life was passed here.  He learned the cooper's trade and in 1874 removed to the West, where he was employed as a cooper 12 years.  Upon returning in 1886, he, with his brother, the late G.A. Seaver, engaged in the manufacture of tubs and pails about 15 years.  Later he was employed in Boston a few years and on his return to town made his home with his niece, Mrs. John Hurley, until three years ago, when he removed to his daughter's home.

"During his long residence here he held the office of selectman many years.  He also served on the school board a number of terms as well as in minor offices.  In the West Townsend Lyceum he held prominent positions and was a well known debater and speaker of that organization for many years.  He was a man of scholarly attainments, a lover of the best in literature, a broad-minded student of the questions of the day and a writer whose pen was always ready in the defense of law, order and justice.  He was a member of North Star lodge, I.O.O.F."

The source citation for the article is:

"Last Rites for Everett Seaver," The Fitchburg [Mass.] Sentinel newspaper, article, Thursday, 5 July 1923, page 14, column 4, Everett W. Seaver obituary;   Newspapers.com   (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 April 2019).

This obituary is full of personal history information, including parents, children's spouse's names, cause of death, occupations, and civic activities.  

Everett Wilner Seaver (1844-1923) was the son of Abraham Wood Seaver (1812-1856) and Charlotte Scales (1817-1901) of Townsend, Massachusetts.  He married Emma D. Neal (1858-1916) in 1878 in Sturgis, Michigan.  They had two daughters:

*  Sarah Wilner Seaver (1882-1947), married John Edward Smith (1861-????) in 1921.
*  Grace L. Seaver (1886-????), married Vernon Saunders (1892-????) in 1917.

Everett Wilner Seaver is my 6th cousin 4x removed, with common ancestors of Robert and Elizabeth (Ballard) Seaver.  I have him in my RootsMagic database, but need the death dates of his wife, a daughter and a son-in-law.  More research opportunities!

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Disclosure:  I have a paid subscription to Newspapers.com and have used it extensively to find articles about my ancestral and one-name families.




Copyright (c) 2019, Randall J. Seaver

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