Sanpete County Utah Biographies

 

 

Seely, John H.
Seely, Joseph
Seely, Justus W.
Seely, Moroni
Seely, Stuart R.
Seely, William S.
Shultz, Hans J. H.
Simpson, Hans J.
Sorensen, C. W.
Staker, James B.
Strom, John E.
Strom, Rudolph
Syndergaard, A. J.

Mt. Pleasant Biographies

 

History of Sanpete
Published by W. H. Lever in 1898
Prominent Citizens of Mt. Pleasant

 

SEELY, JOHN H., farmer, stock raiser and wool-grower, son of Justus W. and Clarissa J., was born in San Bernardino, Cal., April 29, 1855. The family removed to Mt. Pleasant in 1859, where he was educated and grew up a farmer. At the age of 21 he had nothing and made a start at hauling mine timbers in Bingham.  He secured about 8,800 sheep on shares and at the end of three years had about 10,000 head. He now owns about 6,000 high-grade French merinos, having expended much in breeding both sheep and cattle, owning 200 head bred from Durham. Also has fifty fine Berkshire hogs, thoroughbred Scotch collie dogs and Plymouth Rock chickens. Owns a good home in the city and has several hundred acres of land, raising about 2.000 bushels of grain and cutting 600 tons of hay annually. Is a stockholder in the Mt. Pleasant Roller Mill Company, the Electric Light Company and Wool and Live Stock Commission Company, assisting in their organization. he owns a sawmill in the canyon and a planing mill in the city. Is a Republican in politics, a member of the A. O. U. W. and was a member of the City Council for six years. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Peter M. and Christina Folkman Peel, born in Lehi March 1, 1858. They were married in Salt. Lake City January 15, 1880, and have eight children: Ethel A., Zella G., Earl H., John L., Leonard J., Arbretia C., Lucretia V. and Chesley P.

 

SEELY, JOSEPH, farmer and lumberman, son of Justus W. and Clarissa J., was born in Mt. Pleasant March 30, 1862. He was reared on a farm and on the death of his father purchased the interest of some of his heirs, thus getting a fine tract of seventy-four acres, which he cultivates. In company with two brothers  John and Stuart, he owns and operates the Seely sawmill. Was two years engaged in temple work and performed a mission of two years to Kentucky. His first wife was Sarah H., daughter of Samuel and Harriet Allen, born in Mt. Pleasant September 5, 1864; married in Logan. She died March 4, 1887, leaving one child, Sarah H., born February l5, 1887. Second wife was Adella E., daughter of Nils and Caroline Olsen, born in Moroni December 24, 1869. They were married in Manti October 25, 1893, and have three children: Joseph F., born September 6, 1894; Justus O., November 28, 1895, and Adella C., April 14, 1897.

 

SEELY, JUSTUS W., deceased, son of Justus A. anil Mehetable Bennett, was born in Pickering, Home District, Upper Canada, January 30, 1815; died in Mt. Pleasant April 24, 1894. He learned the cooper's trade from his father in Upper Canada. Joined the Mormon church in 1837 and went to Caldwell county Mo., August, 1838; came in an ox-train to Utah, arriving in Salt Lake City September 30, 1847. On March 13, 1851, he left by ox team for San Bernardino, Cal., where he resided till December, 1857, when he returned to Pleasant Grove, and in 1859 located in Mt. Pleasant, assisting in erecting the fort. In 1860 he built the home where his wife now resides. He assisted in putting in the first steam sawmill in the canyon and was in that business many years. The first mowing machine, horse rake, twine binder, thresher and farming mill purchased in the city were his. He served as bishop's counselor seventeen years; was Justice of the Peace twenty years; member of the City Council twenty years and Marshal for several years. He was surgeon and dentist for the town for many years, pulling teeth and setting fractured bones.  His wife, whom he married at Galland, Iowa, March 10, 1842, was Clarissa Jane, daughter of Hassard and Sarah Seely Wilcox, born in Carmi, White county, I11., October 1, 1821. They had three children born in Iowa: Orange, Sarah and Don Carlos, who, with their mother, were awarded pioneer medals at the Jubilee in 1897. Their other children were: Hyrum, Justus W., William H., John H., Mary M., David A., Joseph and Stuart R. Second wife, married in Mt. Pleasant November 17, 1873, was Sarah J. McKinney. She had one child, Eva R.

 

SEELY, MORONI, farmer and stock raiser, son of Bishop William S. and Elizabeth De Hart, was born in Salt Lake City May 29, 1848. The family came to Mt. Pleasant in 1859 and he engaged with his father in riding the range. In 1872 he took a four-mule team and freighted produce to the mining towns of Utah and Nevada, afterward engaging in the cattle business, without capital. He lived in Indianola during the first three years of ranging and then removed to this city, allowing his cattle to increase until he had about 1,000 head, he is now a large property owner in the city and vicinity; has about 200 acres of land beside city property and about 400 sheep. His wife was Alice, daughter of John and Susannah Barton, born in Bountiful, Utah, May 2, 1850. They were married in Salt Lake City April 10, 1872, and have nine children: Alice V., Cyrus M., Clara, George L., Lucinda M., Orson R., Mell Gay, Arta J. and Catherine Verda.

 

SEELY, STUART R., farmer, son of Justus W. and Clarissa J., was born in Mt. Pleasant February 16, 1865. He was raised a farmer and has followed that work with other occupations. In 1890 he and his brothers John and Joseph built a sawmill in Ralston canyon, where he has worked at getting out timber. He owns a farm of seventy-five acres, three miles north of the city, where he erected a home in 1894, and tills the soil and raises stock. His wife, whom he married in Manti July 16, 1894, was Millie, daughter of Fred and Christina Nielson. They have one child, Ferry R., born February 14, 1895.

 

SEELY, BISHOP WILLIAM S., deceased, of Mt.  Pleasant, was a native of Upper Canada, born in Pickering, Home district, May 18, 1812. His parents were Justus A. and Mehetable Bennet Seely. He joined the Mormon church in 1838 and came to Utah with the pioneers of 1847. He lived for a time in Salt Lake City, Pleasant Grove, and was one of the first settlers in Mt. Pleasant, in 1859. He was bishop thirty years, Mayor several years, took part all through the Black Hawk war, filled two missions to Canada, going in 1873 and again in 1878. He had three wives, two of whom are still living. His first wife was Elizabeth De Hart, who died April 6, 1873. Six children are living, Elizabeth, Emily, Moroni, Emeline, Joseph N. and Lucinda. Second wife was Ellen Jackson, the children are, Justus L. and William S. Third wife was Ann Watkins, and her children are William A. and Anna R. Bishop Seely was an active and prominent citizen in local affairs and well and favorably known throughout the State, he died September 17, 1896.

 

SHULTZ, HANS J. H., farmer, son of Hans H. and Anna M. Jorgensen, was born in Junland, Denmark, July 18, 1841. At the age of 14 he joined the Mormon church, and being well educated, taught the English language to those intending to emigrate to the United Slates. Was engaged in teaching emigrants for three years. In 1863 he came to Utah, crossing the plains by ox-train in Capt. Young's company, and located in Mt. Pleasant. He engaged in farming, bought a small farm and now owns fifty-five acres. Was active during the Black Hawk war, doing his share of guarding.  Taught school for two winters. Was for many years a member of the Elders' quorum. His mother came with him and still resides at his home. She was born June 27, 1807.

 

SIMPSON, HANS  J., one of the oldest settlers of Mt.  Pleasant, son of James and Amelia, was born in Denmark January 12, 1824. In 1854 he emigrated to Utah, crossing the plains in an ox-train under Capt.  Olsen. He lived in Salt. Lake City till 1858, then removed to Ephraim, and on April 10, 1859, came to Mt. Pleasant, assisting in building the fort, and lived in it for one year, he erected a log house where his present residence is, took up twenty acres of land and has continued farming.  Now owns a nice farm of fifty  acres. Took an active part in the Black Hawk war; carried express for some time.  Served as a. ward teacher for over thirty-five years and was ordained a high priest. Was married in Salt. Lake City September 13, 1855, to Caroline, daughter of Henning P. and Karen C. Peal, born in Denmark March 5, 1836. Her parents were among the early settlers of 1860 in this city. They have ten children: Christina, Mary, Caroline, Millie, James, Peter, Hannah, Christian and Mina, living; Joseph, deceased.

 

SORENSEN, C. W., teacher in public schools, son of Christian and Christina, was born in Mt. Pleasant, November 1, 1863. He was raised on a farm, attending school in winters, and at the age of 20 entered the B. Y. Academy at Provo, taking a two years' course.  Has taught, school in this city ever since, except '92 and '94, when he performed a mission to Aarhus, Denmark, presiding over that conference. Was principal of the public schools in '91. Was City Recorder two years, City Assessor and Collector four years, and in '97 was elected a member of the City Council. He carries on farming to some extent. Was married in Mt. Pleasant, March 1, 1885, to Dena, daughter of Christian and Cidsel M. Hansen. Her parents came to Utah in '58 with the first Scandinavians. Wife died September 25, 1888. He married again in Manti, June 24, '91, to Eva, daughter of Jorgen and Hannah Madsen, born in Manti, April 12, '72. They have had two children: Luella, born April 4, 1892, died February 27, '97, and Ruby V. born June 19, '96.

 

STAKER, JAMES B., of the firm of Staker & Hansen, planing mill, son of Nathan and Eliza, was born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, February 7, 1858. The family removed to Mt. Pleasant in '59, his father taking an active part in the Black Hawk war, and being prominent in church matters as president of the high Priests. He died in this city March 29, 1884. James was raised a farmer, and now owns a tine farm of 100 acres. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. In '92 the planing mill firm of Hansen, Staker & Johnson began business, owning also a sawmill. In '95 the firm changed to Staker & Hansen, James running the mill most all the time since. They have a good plant costing about $5,000, and manufacture rustic, ceiling, flooring, moldings, with scroll sawing and turning. The firm assisted in organizing the Queen City Roller Mills Company. He was married in Salt Lake City, June 10, 1880, to Elizabeth C., daughter of John F.  and Elizabeth Fechser, born in Mt. Pleasant, January 30, 1861. They have had seven children: Elizabeth C., Eliza M., James B., Grace P., John F., Flossie R. and Meddie C., living; Nathan J., deceased.

 

STROM, JOHN E., carpenter, son of Joseph and Maria, was born in Sweden, October 16, 1844. He learned the carpenter's trade. Joined the Mormon church and in '70 came to Mt. Pleasant, where he has since followed his trade. Was engaged in the undertaker's business for fifteen years. Was a large stockholder and a director in the Co-op. store until it failed. Is a stock-holder in the Mt. Pleasant bank, the Mt. Pleasant Roller Mills and the Electric Light Company. His wife, whom he married in Salt Lake City, October 13, 1872, was Sophia M. Ohman, born in Sweden. She died in Mt. Pleasant, May 4, 1894.

 

STROM, RUDOLPH, carpenter, son of John E. and Sophia, was born in Upsala, Sweden, January 22, 1862. In '72 the family came to Utah and located in Mt. Pleasant. He was raised here and learned the carpenter's trade, which he now follows. During the past six years he and Albert Rosenlof have worked together, assisting in the construction of many of the prominent buildings of Mt. Pleasant. He was a member of the City Council one term. Was married in Fairview, October 10, 1886, to Louisa, daughter of August and Mary Rauche, born in Fredrikshald, Norway, February 17, 1864. They have three children: Theresa, born July 2, '87; John A., February 24, '89, and Olga, November 7, '91.

 

SYNDERGAARD, A. J., farmer, son of James C. and Annie K., was born in Denmark, in the village of Sunby, May 11, 1851. His father died when he was a boy of 7, and his mother, with two sons and two daughters, came to Utah, crossing the plains in an ox-train under Capt. Madsen, arriving in Mt. Pleasant in October, '62. They bought a farm and the boys worked it. He now owns a good forty-five-acre farm. Was a policeman in this city several years and a member of the City Council one year. His wife was Maria, daughter of Niels and Christiana Johansen, born in Aalborg, Denmark, June 2, 1850. Her parents were old residents of Mt. Pleasant.  A. J. and Maria were married in Salt Lake City in October, '69, and have had thirteen children: Gertrude, Kate, Anna M., Hyrum, Anthony, James, Olive, Parley and Hortense, living; Christina, Andrew, Lars and Joseph, deceased.

 

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