Sellers, George

SELLERS, LAIRD, BUZZELL, GREENEAU, VEIRTH, CARPENTER

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Date: 2/25/2011 at 09:41:18

Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa. Published in Chicago, W.S. Dunbar, 1889

GEORGE SELLERS, farmer and stockraiser, Willow Township, has been identified with the history of Cherokee County since the fall of 1870. He was born at Picton, Nova Scotia, June 24, 1822, and was reared near that place on a farm. His father, James S. Sellers, was born in the north of Scotland, and his mother, Jessie (Laird) Sellers, was born in the manufacturing town of Paisley, Scotland. In 1844 Mr. Sellers left his native land with 40 cents in his pocket, his sole capital. He went to the State of Massachusetts and worked on a farm for three months, and then went to Green Lake County, Wisconsin. There he was engaged in lumbering and farming, buying, improving and selling several different tracts of land. A portion of the time he resided in Wisconsin he was employed in running a steam-mill. At that time there were only twelve settlers in Green Lake and Marquette counties. In 1852 he removed from Green Lake County to Black River Falls; he lived there and in that vicinity for five years, engaged in farming and lumbering. The county was not then sub-divided into sections. In the spring of 1857 he removed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and embarked in the lumber business and in farming, being the senior mcmber of the firm of Sellers & Taylor. At that time the great lumber regions of Minnesota and Wisconsin were just being opened, and Mr. Sellers is one of those pioneers whose boldness and pluck aided in developing those vast forests from which lumber has been rafted the whole length of the Mississippi. At Chippewa Falls Mr. Sellers made and lost much money, and in 1886 he sold his mill and went to Winona, Minnesota, and again engaged in the lumber trade, being a member of the firm of Balcon & Sellers, retail lumber merchants. At Winona he lived until 1870, when he came to Cherokee County and settled in Willow Township, on the land which he still owns. He resided in the town of Cherokee for three months before making a permanent settlement. He bought 360 acres of land to which he has since added until he owns about 1,500 acres, all lying in Willow Township except 160 acres, which are in Silver Township. Mr. Sellers has erected a fine residence on this farm, and he has a large barn and extensive sheds for the protection of live-stock; there are two windmills and one of the strongest flowing magnetic springs in the county. He keeps 300 head of cattle, twenty-five head of horses, and raises annually 14,000 bushels of corn, 4,000 bushels of oats, and 1,000 bushels of barley; he formerly raised ns much as 4,000 bushels of wheat. He employs seven men to care for his numerous flocks, and to till his vast acres. He ships on an average of seven car-loads of cattle annually, principally Short-horns and Herefords. Besides the natural groves found on this farm are now seen many shade and ornamental trees planted by Mr. Sellers’ own hand. Our subject had but limited opportunities for acquiring an education while young but by his experience in the world of business he has gained a practical education, and a wide knowledge of men and affairs. He is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has been for many years. He is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sellers was married in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, October 31, 1849, to Miss Paulina Buzzell, a daughter of Elisha Allen and Madana (Greeneau) Buzzell. Four children have been born of this union: Clinton, Frederick, Warren and John. Clinton and Augusta (Veirth) Sellers are the parents of eight children: Frederick, Paulina, Jessie, Clara, Ira, Stella, Ray and George. Frederick and Hattie (Carpenter) Sellers are the parents of four children: Lewis C., George Kennith, Walter F. and Rollie. Mr. Sellers has held many offices of trust and responsibility in his township, and has the respect and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.