Cherron Seely, Mayor of the Month ~ May 2012

Justus Olson Seely ~ Mayor of the Month ~ October 2011 ~ Elected 1936

The following items come from Hilda Madsen Longsdorf "History of Mt. Pleasant".

 P.  194:  The  (Pioneer) committee at the present time, 1939, is as follows: President- James Larsen; Vice President-James Monsen; Secretary & Treasurer-Mrs. Hilda Madsen Longsdorf; Assistant-O. M. Aldrich; Directors-E. C. Johnson, Mrs. Miranda Omenn, L. C. Ramussen, Mrs. Botilda Frandsen, Fred Staker, Royal Candland. Daniel Rasmussen, Mrs. Ella Tuft Candland, Justus O. Seely, C. T. Madsen, F. J. Nielsen, Vern H. Gunderson, and

Elmer Jensen.

      P. 239:   1936-37. Mayor, Justus O. Seely; Recorder, E. W. Wall; Treas­urer, Mata Hutchison; Councilors, J. H. Stansfield, four years; P. A. Poulson, (Dr.) A. L. Peterson, Lawrence Winters, Bert Wright; W. K. Peterson and Sheldon Monsen appointed city Marshals.

1938-39. Mayor, Justus O. Seely; Recorder, E. W. Wall; Treas­urer, Mata Hutchison; Councilors, P. A. Poulson, four years; J. H. Stansfield, (Dr.) A. L. Peterson, (Dr.) L. A. Phillips, W. C. Olsen.

     P. 247:  Listed with names of Veterans on Doughboy Monument:

Shelley, David A. Shelley, Jesse

Scow, Andrew Lavor Selby, John Jr.

Seely, Chesley P. Seely, Leonard J

Seely, Justus O.

Joseph Seely, Mayor of the Month ~ June 2011 ~ He served during 1926 and 1927.

The following notes are taken from Hilda Madsen Longsdorf's "History of Mt. Pleasant".

 Pages 184-185:  A conference was held, after a few minutes discussion, they were united and agreed upon calling a mass meeting on the 17th day of February, 1909. At this meeting, Daniel Rasmussen was elected chairman and Joseph Seely secretary. The plan was pre­sented to erect in some suitable place, a large monument in honor of the Pioneers. After a few minutes discussion, this was unanimously agreed upon.

A conference was held, after a few minutes discussion, they were united and agreed upon calling a mass meeting on the 17th day of February, 1909. At this meeting, Daniel Rasmussen was elected chairman and Joseph Seely secretary. The plan was pre­sented to erect in some suitable place, a large monument in honor of the Pioneers. After a few minutes discussion, this was unanimously agreed upon.

Two committees were appointed. One, Ferdinand Ericksen. E. C. Johnson, James Larsen, James Monsen, and Andrew Madsen, to select the character of monument to be erected, and a like com­mittee, consisting of five members, Daniel Rasmussen, Joseph Seely, James Borg, C. W. Anderson and Joseph Monsen, were to devise ways and means by which to raise the necessary funds for the erection of a suitable memorial.

February 27th, another meeting was called and the two com­mittees were consolidated. The committees worked earnestly and it was only by stick-to-it-tive-ness and constant efforts with renew­ed vigor that they were able to make such rapid advancement.

The census of the descendants were taken and an assessment of $35.00 to the family was made. Any male in Mt. Pleasant over ten years of age in 1859, was eligible to have his name on the monument. Some responded promptly, while some were lax. Madsen made a trip to Carbon County, meeting with a number of the descendents at Price and Wellington, who, after receiving full explanation of the progress and intentions of the committee, did not hesitate and at once contributed their portion. In March, a mass meeting was held to prepare for the celebration. The city

appointed the following committee chairmen: 

James Monsen  general chairman; C. N. Lund, program; Daniel Rasmussen,  

decoration; W. D. Candland, finance; Ferdinand Ericksen, amusement; Joseph Seely, entertainment; and also made an appropria­tion of $200.00. The work was completed in due time and a beautiful monu­ment, which is composed of white bronze metal was erected on the northwest corner of the Church Block, intersecting Main and State Streets. It stands upon a cement foundation, ten feet square, and is surmounted by six foot figure representing "Faith" typi­fying the devotion and confidence of the Pioneers. The total height of the monument is twenty-seven feet, six inches. The estimated cost about $2,500.00 p. 194: After the Pioneer Monument was erected and the committee who had charge of it considered their work practically finished. Andrew Madsen proposed that the present committee be dissolved and that a permanent organization be formed, consisting of pio­neers and descendants of pioneers from 1859 to 1869. He further suggested that the present committee, naturally very much inter­ested, be retained and that four women be added to the committee. Later a meeting was held at the North Ward Chapel and an or­ganization formed, the name Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Historical Asso­ciation was adopted. It was decided to meet annually in March. The following officers were elected: President, Andrew Madsen; Vice President, James Larsen; Secretary, Daniel Rasmussen. Treasurer, James Monsen; Directors, Ferdinand Ericksen, Joseph Monsen, Edmund C. Johnson, James Borg, Joseph Seely, Chris­tian W. Anderson, Mr. John H. Seely, Mrs. Henry Ericksen, Mrs. Miranda Omenn, and Mrs. Thomas West. p 203: September 3, 1927, Colonel Charles A. Lindberg, aboard his famous Spirit of St. Louis, flying from Cheyenne, Wyoming, en­ route to Salt Lake City, paused to greet the citizens of Mt. Pleasant. He arrived over the mountains east of the city. Mayor Joseph Seely having received a telegram announcing his intentions, Mt. Pleasant had been gaily decorated for the oc­casion and all was in readiness to receive him. The massive plane from which a message of greeting was dropped, circled low sev­eral times over the city. After a stay of about fifteen minutes, he left by way of Fairview for Salt Lake City.        During 1928, the Mt. Pleasant Press, a weekly newspaper, was published by Margaret DeLay and R. V. Tuve. In 1929, O. M. Aldrich and Sons, Ray and Clair, purchased the building erected and formerly occupied by the Sanpete County Co-op, and there established a general merchandise business. p 238: 1926-27. Mayor, Joseph Seely; Recorder, Calvin Christensen; Treasurer, Effie R. Larsen; Councilors, M. C. Peterson, four years; C. L. Stewart, Paul Monsen, Joseph Monsen, O. F. Wall. p 257:  Alif Ericksen was chosen as president of the North Ward, with Hans Madsen and Joseph Seely as counselors; Lars Christian  Ras­mussen, Secretary. The North Ward Association was re-organized November 2, 1886, as follows: Joseph Madsen, president; Mangus G. Rolph and William Sorensen, counselors. The South Ward Association was re-organized with George Christensen as president; Ferdinand Clark and Lauritz Clark, counselors; Ferdinand Ericksen, Secre­tary. Mangus G. Rolph became president of the Ward February 29, 1888.

p 328:  Other meat dealers were DeLong, Niels Rasmussen, Evan Ivie, and Keen Tidwell. In 1889 the Ericksen Meat & Grocery Company was established by Henry Ericksen and Alif Ericksen. Later Joseph Seely, Al Peterson, John Ericksen, Andrew O. Mad­sen, and Stewart Seely were located on the north side of Main Street, between State and First West. 

Robert H. Hinckley ~ Mayor of the Month ~ May 2011 ~ He Served As Mayor 1924-1925

The following are are references and page numbers to Robert H. Hinckley from Hilda Madsen Longdorf's "History of Mt. Pleasant".

June 24, 1917, Mary Elizabeth, thirteen months old child of Charles M. and Josephine Peterson, was drowned in Twin Creek channel east of the city.

For a number of years, a Traveling Library, free to the public, was sponsored by members of the Twentieth Century Literary Club and the Home Culture Club of Mt. Pleasant.

During Daniel Rasmussen's term as mayor, the Carnegie Li­brary was built, being formally opened to the public, February 15, 1917. This year the Seely-Hinckley building, corner First West and Main, was built by John H. Seely and Robert H. Hinckley.  P 199

In December 1925, during Robert H. Hinckley's term as mayor, the White Way was completed by the paving of Main Street. This was celebrated by an appropriate program and danc­ing on the pavement. This year the Lion's Club was organized in Mt. Pleasant, with Charles Eatinger as president, and Earl F. Gardemann, as secretary. P 202

The new city hall was dedicated August 23rd. Following  aparade, a program was held on the steps of the building. Senator Ed Johnston presided. Invocation was offered by Daniel  Rasmussen and the dedicatory prayer by C. W. Sorensen, and an historical sketch was given by Mrs. S. D. Longsdorf. Talks by Judge.  George Christensen, of Price; Robert H. Hinckley, of Ogden, Chairman Civil Aeronautics Commission; and Darrell Greenwell, of Salt Lake City, State WP A Director, who also, in behalf of the WP A, presented the building to Mt. Pleasant. The response and acceptance speech was given by Councilman A. L. Peterson. Mus­ical numbers were rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hansen, Dean and Wayne Peterson, Grant, Vernon, and Don Johansen, Mrs. G. B. Madsen, Mrs. S. H. Gill, and Mrs. H. G. Ericksen. P 207-208

1924-25. Mayor, Robert H. Hinckley; Recorder, Calvin Christen­sen; Teasurer, Effie R. Larsen; Councilors, O. F. Wall, four years; P. A. Poulsen, Joseph Matson, M. C. Petersen, Joseph Johansen Jr.

P 238

John H. Seely, Mayor of the Month ~ July 2010

John H. Seely was born in San Bernardino, California on April 29, 1855.  He was the son of Justus W. and Clarissa.  The family moved 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 3,800 sheep on shares and at the end of three years had about 10,000 head.  He also raised cattle, hogs, thoroughbred Scotch collie dogs and Plymouth Rock chickens.  He also raised grain and hay.



He was a stockholder in the Mt. Pleasant Roller Mill Company, the Electric Light Company and Wool and Live Stock Commission Company.  He owned a sawmill in the canyon and a planing mill in the city.  A member of the A.O.U.W. and a member of the city council for six years.  He served as Mayor of Mt. Pleasant from 1900 to 1902.



He married Margaret, daughter of Peter M. and Christina Folkman Peel, born in Lehi on March 1, 1858.  They were married in Salt Lake City January 15, 1880 and had eight children:  Ethel, Zella, Earl, John, Leonard, Arbretia, Lucretia and Chesley.



John Seely died on July 31, 1920 at Fish Lake.



Additional Information ~ excerpts from Seely Family History



He was not born rich, though his parents were not poor, but they were pioneers, coming to Mt. Pleasant in 1859 when John was only 4 years old, and he grew up in a pioneer community with all its limitations, its primitiveness but also its opportunities.  That he realized these opportunities, that he made good use of them by applying his strength and his talents that God had given him to the best of his ability is to his credit and that he used the means thus acquired by his honest efforts not only for his own good but for the benefit of his fellow men, his community, state and church that is his everlasting honor.

~~~

He was well and favorably known as a breeder of pure bred livestock, especially Rambouillet sheep and Shorthorn cattle, a farmer and also prominent in business and public affairs, holding many offices of trust and responsibility during his active and useful life.

~~~

As a pioneer in the livestock line he originated, not merely initiated, his methods and the means he employed were his own, but he had no monopoly on them and there were plenty of others who profited by following the paths he had made.



When he went into the sheep business, first he took the old Mt. Pleasant Co-op herd on shares.  His contracts in those days called for payments in kind, not in money; so many pounds of wool per head and so many lambs per hundred sheep per year.  By the way, that old sheep account book is in existence yet and will be kept as a relic.  That kind of contract was good as far as they went.  But, of course, the sheep that he took on shares in those far off times were nothing like the sheep of our days. 

~~~

 In the meantime he bred up his share sheep until he had  a couple of well graded herds of his own, which enabled him to quit the shares business and go on his own hook entirely.



And last but not least, this man was a Mormon.  Yes born and raised and died a Mormon, never ashamed of it, no matter where he went.  And like all good Mormons, he performed a mission, only his was different, he did not go to foreign lands and spend a couple of year or so to preach the Gospel.  The mission that the Lord had evidently chosen for him wa at home: to build up the country, to develop and increase its resources, to spread its fame as a fair and goodly place.



His life work is done, but his spirit lives on, and we that knew him here, live in hope that we may see him again, and so we say to him in faith and all sincerity ....Au Revoir until Eternity.



This was written by Will C. Clos, Personal Secretary to Mr. Seely for over 20 years.



Submitted by his grandson, Edwin M.G. Seely

William Stewart Seely - Mayor of the Month - February 2010

 

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