Thursday, March 25, 2021

Seavers in the News -- Leo Wallace Seaver Dies in 1950 in Washington, Vermont

 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 Boston [Mass.] Globe newspaper dated 1 August 1950:

The transcription of the article is:

"LEO W. SEAVER
--------------
Prominent Washington Resident, 71, Dies At His Home

"Leo W. Seaver, 71, longtime public official at Washington, died at his home there last evening.  A retired farmer, he had held office as town selectman, town representative, road commissioner, and served on many civic committees.

"Born in Williamstown on Nov. 27, 1879, he was the son of Bernie and Aurilla Seaver.  When he was quite young, the family moved to Washington where he had since made his home.  He attended public schools in Washington, and later attended Goddard seminary in Barre.

"His marriage to Edith M. Hanson took place on Sept. 15, 1902.  She survives him.

"Besides his numerous town official duties, Mr. Seaver was also a director of the Washington creamery and also the Granite City Cooperative creamery in Barre.  He had also been a school director in Washington, and was a member of the Universalist church.  He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a past member of the Grange

"In recent years he had retired from practically all of his activities.

"Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, Hobart Seaver of Washington, Paul Seaver of Barre, and Kenneth Seaver of South Barre.  A daughter, Mrs. William (Lola S.) Carle, also survives, as well as seven grandchildren.

"Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon from the Universalist church in Washington.  The Rev. Fenwick L. Leavitt will officiate.  Friends may call at the family home in Washington after 4 o'clock this afternoon.  Burial will be in the Washington cemetery.  The family has requested that flowers be omitted."

The source citation is:

"Leo W. Seaver,The Barre [Vt.] Daily Times newspaper, obituary, Tuesday, 30 December 1950, page 1, column 3, Leo W. Seaver obituary;  Newspapers.com   (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 25 March 2021).

This obituary is one of the best obituaries ever in terms of content.  A birth date, marriage date, and death date, plus parents names, spouse's maiden name and children's names.  Plus the occupation, public service and career information.  A gold star obituary IMHO.

Leo Wallace Seaver was born 27 November 1879 in Williamstown, Vermont, the son of James Birney and Aurilla A. (Flint) Seaver.  He married Edith M. Hanson (1876-1952) on 15 September 1902 in Washington, Vermont, the daughter of Benjamin Manley and Rebecca Matilda (Lucas) Hanson.  They had four children:

*  Hobart Leigh Seaver (1905-1954), married (1) 1935 Esther Irene Bowman (1903-1992); (2) 1953 Katherine Patricia Ryan (1906-1992).
*  Lola Madina Seaver (1907-2000), married 1932 William Thomas Carle (1906-1985).
*  Paul Wayne Seaver (1911-1971), married 1939 Ardith Frances Moody (1913-1992).  
*  Kenneth Gordon Seaver (1917-1961), married 1941 Anita Eleanor Bernatchy (1919-2015).

I am a 7th cousin 3 time removed to Leo Wallace Seaver, with the common Seaver ancestor being Robert Seaver (1608-1683) of Roxbury, Massachusetts.

There are over 10,000 Seaver "stories" in my family tree - and this was one of them.   Life happens, accidentally and intentionally, and sometimes a person has a life full of family and career and public service I am glad that I can honor Leo Wallace Seaver today.  

You never know when a descendant or relative will find this blog post and learn something about their ancestors or relatives, or will provide more information about them to me.

                                  =============================================

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


Copyright (c) 2021, Randall J. Seaver

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