Biography of Henry Palmer SEED, Crawford County, Illinois This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Crawford County Web Site From: SEED, Henry Palmer. -- The Seed family is one of those who have been made representative through the actions and accomplisments of its members. The Seeds have been closely identified with the progress of Lawrence County for a number of years, and one who is specially well known, is Henry Palmer Seed, a farmer and stockman of Lukin Township, but now a resident of Lawrenceville. Mr. Seed was born in Lukin Township, December 17, 1857, a son of Thomas Seed, who was also a farmer and stockman of the township, but born in County Down, Ireland, in February, 1808. He was reared in his native country and came to America in 1837, locating near Lawrenceville, in Lawrence County, Ill. Here is [something's missing] farmed for a few years, but in 1847 he moved to Lukin Township. In 1843 he married Orinda Kinkead, who was born in Lawrence County, but was reared in Crawford County and came of an old Kentucky family. Soon after marriage, Thomas Seed and his wife moved on the farm now owned by Henry P. Seed which was a portion of the Kinkead farm, Mrs. Seed having inherited it from her father's estate. The farm comprised 320 acres, which Mr. Seed increased to 360 acres. He had cleared a good part of the land, and carried on general farming with marked success until 1883, when he retired, and lived with his children. Mr. and Mrs. Seed were the parents of children as follows: Hugh, Eliza, Mary, Anna and Henry Palmer, all born on the home place. Mr. Seed was a Whig and later a Republican. In religious faith he was a Methodist, and for seventy-five years was active in that church, having been one of the founders of the old Zion communion. Mrs. Seed died at the age of fifty-two years, and Mr. Seed at ninety-three. Mr. Henry Palmer Seed attended the district schools of Lukin Township, and was brought up to work upon the farm. He helped his father in clearing off the land, and finally came into possession of the homestead of 180 acres, buying out the other heirs. He has always worked on the farm, and made all the improvements. His farming has been general in character, and he has met with gratifying success. On May 9, 1882, Mr. Seed married Clarcy Shafer, born in Richland County, Ill., where she was brought up. Mrs. Seed is the daughter of William Shafer, a prominent man of Richland County, belonging to one of the old families of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Seed had a son born to them, May 4, 1885, Frank, a bright young man, who is taking some of his father's responsibilities off his shoulders. Mr. Seed has always been a Republican in politics and is a consistent member of the Methodist Church. Somewhat conservative, he is always willing to support what he believes to be for the best interests of the neighborhood, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has business dealings. Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, Illinois Historical: Lawrence County Biographical (p. 736). Ed. by N. Bateman, P.Selby; J.W. McCleave. Chicago 1910 Munsell Publishing Co. *************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. *************************************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Crawford County Web Site