J. Leo Seely

J. Leo Seely has throughout his entire life been identified with cattle raising in Sanpete county. He was born April 4, 1887, in Mount Pleasant, where he still makes his home, a son of Hon. John H. and Margaret (Peel) Seely, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work, his father being the owner of the largest flock of Rambouillet sheep in the world and the largest herd of pare bred shorthorns.

In his youthful days J. Leo Seely divided his time between the acquirement of an education and the business training received through the assistance which he rendered his father in connection with live stock interests. He was a student in the Mount Pleasant public schools and afterward spent two years as a pupil in the Wasatch Academy of Mount Pleasant, while subsequently he entered the Agricultural College at Logan and there remained for three years. His training was thus thorough and comprehensive and has well qualified him for the onerous and important business duties that he has assumed in later life. He has had the benefit of association with his father, one of the foremost stockmen of the west, and he has always given his attention to the breeding and raising of sheep and cattle.

During much of the time he has been his father's associate and, like John H. Seely, he handles only pure bred stock. His business affairs are being most wisely, carefully and profitably conducted and he is regarded as one of the foremost young business men of his section of the state.

On the 6th of October, 1910, in Salt Lake City, J. Leo Seely was married to Miss Lucille Rolph, a daughter of Mangnus G. and Anna (Knudsen) Rolph, who were married on the 28th of March, 1888. Her father was born in Sweden and her mother in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Her father was a commercial man and had various business interests in Mount Pleasant. To Mr. and Mrs. Seely have been born three children: Robert Leo, born November 8, 1911; Ina Margaret, July 31, 1913; and Chesla June, born June 30, 1918. All are natives of Mount Pleasant.

Mr. Seely is an earnest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and filled a mission to Ireland, going in 1914 and returning in 1916. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party and he is thoroughly alive to the vital interests and problems of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his important and expanding business affairs.

Noble Warrum, ed. Utah Since Statehood, 4 volumes. Chicago, IL; Salt Lake City, UT: S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919.

[Grandson of Justus Wellington SGS# 2337 – J. Leo; John H.; Justus Wellington (#2337); Justus Azel; Justus William; Joseph; John; Benjamin; Nathaniel, Robert]