KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of Hon. John C. Seaton Atchison County, Kansas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE:  In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied materiel.  These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain.  Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged.  Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires approval of the file's author.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

Hon. John Seaton

One of the most popular, as well as one of the most useful, citizens of Atchison is the man whose name heads this sketch and who is the proprietor of the largest foundry in the state of Kansas.

He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 11, 1834, but when he was three weeks old the family removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and there his boyhood days were spent.  His parents were John M. and Elizabeth (Jones) Seaton, the former born in Virginia and the latter in Vermont.

The father was a soldier in the Mexican War and was killed at the storming of the heights of Cerro Gordo.  At the time of his father's death Mr. Seaton was about eleven years old.  He was fifteen years old when he began learning the trade of a machinist, and a few years later was working as a journeyman in St. Louis, Missouri.

At the age of twenty-two, although his entire capital consisted of two dollars and fifty cents, he started a foundry at Alton, Illinois.  Pluck and perseverance won success, the enterprise prospered, and when he removed to Atchison in 1872 he had fifty men in his employ.

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Seaton enlisted and was made captain of Company B, 22nd Illinois Volunteers, and was under General Grant when he fought his first battle at Belmont.  Captain Seaton was in command of the skirmish line that opened that engagement, and one of the most precious of his possessions today is the letter received from the famous commander, commending him for the efficient manner in which he performed the task.

Six months before Mr. Seaton came to Atchison the city had voted ten thousand dollars in bonds to any man who would establish a foundry.  He accepted the offer and the result has been of the greatest benefit to the community.

He has a large and finely equipped plant and does work all over the west.  He gives employment to over 200 men and works for their interest as well as his own, retaining the full force even through dull seasons and periods of financial depression.  He understands his business thoroughly, and no slighted or imperfect work is ever allowed to go out of the establishment.

This has given him a prestige, and no foundry stands higher with architects and builders.  He does general architectural work, and in addition makes locomotive wheels, smoke stacks, steam cylinders, car stoves, etc., for the Santa Fe, Missouri Pacific and Fort Scott & Gulf roads.  His works cover an area of seven hundred by four hundred feet, and his business amounts to a quarter of a million annually.

In 1857 Mr. Seaton was married to Miss Charlotte E. Tuthill, of Alton, and five children have been born to them.  Of these, Lillie M., is the wife of George Hendrickson and lives in Muscotah, Kansas; Mary E., married Dr. William H. Condit, of Kansas City, Missouri; John C., is now manager of his father's business; Nellie T., married Theodore Byram, a farmer of Atchison county, Kansas; and George L., is assistant manager of his father's theater.

John C. Seaton was born in Alton, Illinois, in 1861.  He is a man of first class business ability, and has been of the greatest assistance to his father in his work.  He was married, in 1889, to Miss Lillie Burtis, of Independence, Missouri.  Mr. Seaton is a stanch Republican, and is so popular with all classes that he has been elected five times to the state legislature, and is holding that position at present.

He is a member of John A. Martin Post, No. 93, G. A. R., the Loyal Legion and of the Knights of Pythias. Socially, Mr. Seaton is a genial, unassuming gentleman, who is proud of his war record, of the fact that he has secured wealth and honor by his own unaided efforts and by a life of undoubted integrity, and who is not ashamed of the time when he worked at his trade as do the men now under him. Although having reached an age when he might well retire and enjoy the fruits of his industry, his activity is still unlimited, and he takes pleasure in seeing that everything is conducted properly throughout his works.

As a citizen Mr. Seaton has done much for Atchison, and it was through his enterprise and liberality that his handsome theater was built. He has a very pleasant and commodious residence.

Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2004 01:03:51

The Digital Library of the KSGenWeb is a non-commercial entity dedicated to free access to records of genealogical value. All documents contained herein may be freely copied for personal and library use, as long as the KSGenWeb Statement of Use remains attached. These records may not be published in any format, including electronic (web pages or CD's) and print, without prior written consent of the contributor. In order to insure continued free access, violators of this policy will be vigorously pursued.

We invite all contributions of transcribed records with genealogical value. This could range from wills and letters from your personal family records to indexes of your county's marriage records. There are many, many more examples, of course. Anything you have that you are willing to contribute will be gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Kenneth Thomas, KSGenWeb Digital Library Coordinator at kgthomas5@earthlink.net.

We also accept any non-copyrighted printed materials that you have access to and would like to see transcribed and placed on-line. If the material is copyrighted and you are the copyright holder, please include written permission for use by The KSGenWeb Digital Library. These may be mailed to Kenneth Thomas, 26 Circle Dr., Windsor, MO 65360-1610.

  KSGENWEB DIGITAL LIBRARY PAGE
  KSGENWEB HOME PAGE

Page Design, HTML Coding and Layout - Copyright©1998-2004 by Kenneth Thomas, All Rights Reserved.
The KSGenWeb Project logo Copyright©1996-2004 by Tom & Carolyn Ward, All Rights Reserved.
For the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.  Permission is granted for use only on an Official KSGenWeb Project page.
The Official USGenWeb Project logo designed by Linda Cole.