John H. Seely

John H. Seely spent his youthful days under the parental roof and after acquiring a common school education became actively interested in the raising of live stock. He went through all of the experiences connected with the early period of Mount Pleasant's growth and progress. During the Black Hawk war he was one of the minutemen of Captain Fred Nielson's Company and after the Indian troubles were over he concentrated his attention more and more largely upon the raising of sheep and live stock until today his position is one of world leadership, for he has the largest herd of registered Rambouillet sheep in the world and sold a ram of that breed for the highest price ever paid at auction. These sheep are known as the French Merinos. He has not only engaged in sheep breeding but has also directed his efforts to the breeding and raising of shorthorn cattle and has one of the largest herds of registered shorthorns in the world and the largest herd in Utah. He possesses a remarkable gift and talent for this business. He has ever recognized the vital essentials in animals in connection with the improvement of the breed and he is notable in his correctness as a judge of live stock. He has established his success upon the motto: "Quality first and price second." He has sent agents to Europe, covering all the districts of France and Germany where Rambouillet sheep and shorthorn cattle are raised. He has never hesitated at any opportunity to improve his stock and his foremost object has been the improvement of the breed. He personally selects all the rams and ewes for mating and his success has exceeded that of any other stockman of Utah. He owns exclusive grazing grounds in several counties, together with a large farm, and on all these various places he has splendid outbuildings, modern in every way, making it his object to provide every improvement that will facilitate the care of his sheep, cattle and horses. In addition to raising Rambouillet sheep and shorthorns he also specializes in handling French draft and Percheron horses, buying pure bred mares from the east, also stallions and pure bred jacks. He has one of the best pure bred jacks in the state and in his raising of horses and mules he also adheres to the standard of quality first, making use of every plan that will improve the grade of stock. He is a member of the Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association of Marysville, Ohio, and has served as its vice president and as president. He is also vice president and one of the directors of the Utah Wool Growers Association and in addition to his stock raising interests is a heavy stockholder in the Mount Pleasant Mill Company.

On the 15th of January, 1880, in Mount Pleasant, Mr. Seely was married to Miss Margaret Peel, a daughter of Peter M. and Christiana (Folkman) Peel and a sister of Christian Peel, now deceased, who married a sister of her husband. Mrs. Seely is also a sister of Mrs. Annie Candland, the wife of Hon. W. D. Candland. The Peels, like the Seelys, are numbered among the pioneer residents of this state and have been active in all the work of the church and in the material growth and development of Utah. The father was a farmer and blacksmith who took an active interest in promoting the upbuilding of Mount Pleasant along many lines and was particularly earnest and loyal in the offices of the church. His many substantial qualities made him loved by all. To Mr. and Mrs. Seely have been born the following children: Ethel, the eldest, is the wife of O. E. McGahen and has two children. Zella is the wife of Albert Merrill and has five children. Earl H. married Louie Miner and they have three children. J. Leo wedded Lucille Rolph and they have three children. Leonard J. enlisted with the aviation branch of the army and has recently been honorably discharged from the Eight hundred and twelfth Aero Depot Squadron. Abrelia is the wife of Robert H. Hinckley and has one child. Vern married U. N. Winters, who died of influenza December 30, 1918, and she has two children. Chesley served in the Utah Field Artillery and participated in the hotly contested battles around Metz. Oliver is the youngest of the family.

Mr. Seely is a republican in his political views and has served as mayor of Mount Pleasant, while in the early days he filled the office of city marshal. He was likewise a member of the state senate of Utah for two terms, a director of the state fair board for the past sixteen years and is still serving, and supervisor of the live stock at the State Fair for a number of years. He is a man of marked capability, of initiative and resourcefulness, and his broad vision in business, combined with his other qualities has enabled him to make his life work of sterling worth to the commonwealth at large. At the same time he has so conducted his private business interests that success in notable measure has come to him. Ever holding to the highest standards, he has advanced step by step to a position of leadership not only among the large sheep and live stock raisers of Utah but of the entire country as well.

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

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

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