William Seely, one of the most highly respected citizens and Civil War veterans of this community, passed away at his home in this city last Saturday, May 4, at 4 o'clock P.M., after a lingering illness of several months' duration. Mr. Seely had been in failing health for some time past and his relatives and friends realized that the end was near. Some four or five months ago he suffered a stroke of apoplexy and gradually grew worse until at the last he was almost entirely helpless, being cared for as though he were a babe. Owing to his advanced years, little could be done to stay the cruel hand of Death and only temporary relief could be given, despite the fact that loving hands labored unceasingly for his comfort throughout the trying ordeal of his last illness.

William Seely was born in Jefferson County, New York, January 7, 1837, died at his home in Logan (Phillips co) Kansas, May 4, 1918, being at the time of his death 81 years, 3 months and 27 days old. He was the last surviving member of his father's family of eight children. At the age of seven years, he was left an orphan, and lived with a sister until going to Wisconsin in his sixteenth year, where he worked on a farm until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Co B, 4th Wis Vol. Infantry and served for three years. Upon the expiration of his time, he re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. Returning home, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Allen at Princton, They resided in Wisconsin until 1872, when they located at Valley Falls, Kansas, where they lived four years, but owing to drouths and grasshopper raids, they went to Taylor County, Iowa, where they resided until emigrating to Kansas again, this time coming to Graham County in the fall of 1879, settling on Bow Creek, where they continued to live until seventeen years ago when they took up their residence in Logan, where he died.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs Jennie M. Seely, two daughters, Mrs Bell L. Bailey and Grace A. Custine, two sons, Irving W. and Eli J., also six grandchildren, all of whom were present at the funeral.

During his residence in this state, he was frequently honored by election to office and was for fourteen years trustee of Logan township. He was also Police Judge for three years.

William Seely was a man of exemplary character, sterling worth and a citizen above reproach. He was universally respected and loved by those of his acquaintance and his death comes as a distinct loss to his family and the community, in which he had been an important factor so long. We have personally known Mr Seely for the past fifteen years and during all our associations with him, we have always found him to be a man of integrity and uprightness, quiet and unassuming in his demeanor but fearless in his advocacy of that which he believed to be right. He was strictly honest in all his dealings with his fellow-man and charitable in his actions toward those who needed succor. He will be sadly missed from the community, where he so long has been a power for good, radiating kindness and good will to all with whom he came in contact, for Mr Seely was a man of an optimistic mind, always looking on the bright side of life and his kindly nature and cheery smile made his presence a welcome factor wherever he went. He was converted at Bedford, Iowa in a meeting held by a former pastor here, Elder L.C. Goodrich, now deceased.

Funeral services were conducted at the Christ of Christ on Sunday by Rev. R.J. Wallace, Probate Judge of Graham county, an old neighbor of Mr. Seely. The Judge delivered a splendid sermon and eulogy on the life of the deceased. The service was largely attended by friends and relatives, many coming from a distance to pay their last respects to an old friend and neighbor. Those in attendance from out of town were, S.T. Allen and wife, Herbert Allen and wife and Mrs Fred Gledhill, of Portis; Walter Allen and John Rosboraugh, of Norton; Mr and Mrs Chas Killenger, of Bellaire; Mrs Jennie Goodrich and Mrs A.J. Murry, of Glade. The floral offerings were profuse and beautiful beyond description, tokens of the high esteem in which he was held by all.

The Logan Lodge No. 562, of which he was a charter member, attended in a body and conducted their beautiful ceremonies at the cemetery.

The sympathy of the entire community goes out at this time to the grief-stricken widow and children in this trying hour of affliction and sorrow.