Stone-Lawrence County MO Archives Biographies.....Seaman, J. Frank 1847 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 March 1, 2008, 8:45 pm

Author: Goodspeed Brothers (1894)

    J. FRANK SEAMAN. Among the reputable men of Galena who have made their home
in Stone County since 1865, is J. Frank Seaman, whose birth occurred at
Carrollton, Carroll County, Ark., October 1, 1847. His father, Hon. John F.
Seaman, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1812, and was of Scotch origin.
He remained in his native county until grown, and then became a driver on the
Erie Canal. Following this, he became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and in 1834 emigrated to Michigan, where he resided two years. In 1836
he was appointed a missionary to the Cherokee Indians, and was in their nation
for two years, after which he was transferred to the Arkansas conference. After
a little he gave up his ministerial duties and began the study of medicine under
Dr. Forest, of Huntsville, Madison County, Ark. Up to 1844 or 1845 he practiced
medicine, and then engaged in merchandising at Carrollton. While there, he
married Miss Sophia E. Kenner, August 18, 1846, and there remained until 1862,
when, on account of his Union sentiments, it became unpleasant for him and he
moved to Lawrence County, Mo. There he resumed the practice of medicine and also
tilled the soil until 1869, when he again embarked in merchandising, following
this at Marionville, Mo., until his death, which occurred suddenly, on March 27,
1870. He was a strong Union man, and after the war became a stanch Republican.
Mrs. Seaman is still living at Marionville, and is now sixty-nine years of age.
She was born in Tennessee, and was the daughter of C. E. and Dorcas (Burren)
Kenner, both probably natives of Tennessee, and early pioneers of Arkansas,
settling in Carroll County as early as 1836. Six children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Seaman, four of whom survive, as follows: J. Frank; Ellen, wife of M. L.
Williams, resides in California; Dorcas, died in 1857, when a child; Charity,
married C. H. Neff, of Marionville, Mo., and died in June, 1892; Dotey, D., is a
druggist of Marionville; and Emma, resides at Marionville. The mother has been a
life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father of our subject
was elected county treasurer of Carroll County, Ark., before the war and
afterward, represented that county in the Legislature of the State. He was a
public-spirited citizen, and was a prominent man in all public affairs. J. Frank
Seaman spent his youthful days in Carroll County, and received a fair education
in the schools of the same. He was taught the duties of farm life, and although
too young to enlist when the war broke out, he enlisted in Company K,
Forty-sixth Missouri Volunteer, Infantry, in 1864. He operated in southwest
Missouri, was taken prisoner by Capt. Green, but was at once released. Previous
to becoming an enlisted soldier, our subject took part in several engagements,
and was on many scouting expeditions, being with Col. Harrison in a fight with
Brooks on King's Creek. After the war Mr. Seaman located in Stone County and
began clerking in the store of W. F. McCullah, where he remained a year. After
this he located on a farm, and there remained until 1869, when he embarked in
merchandising with his father at Marionville, Mo. Four years later he was
appointed postmaster under President Grant. He located in Carroll County, Ark.,
in 1873, where he followed merchandising for one year, and then returned to
Stone County, Mo., to his farm. In 1878 he was elected county and circuit clerk
and recorder of Stone County, and held that position eight years. In 1889, he
established the Stone County Bank, and was elected cashier of the same. The year
previous to that, he was admitted to the bar, but has never practiced. Mr.
Seaman is also in the abstract and real estate business, and he and O. F.
Douglas of Crain, are the owners of a large tract of land. He has three improved
farms of his own and a residence three-fourths of a mile south of Galena. This
pleasant home is presided over by his wife, who was formerly Miss R. O. Nelson,
their nuptials having been celebrated March 3, 1870. Her parents, Samuel D. and
M. C. (Shannon) Nelson, were natives of the Old North State, and came to this
county many years ago. The father passed away in 1861, but the mother is still
living. Mrs. Seaman was born in Stone County in 1851. Her uncle, John D.
Shannon, was the first sheriff in southwest Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman have
reared a family of five children, as follows: Efton, married, is a prominent
hardware man of Galena; Charles, single, is at home; Benjamin; Etta and May. Mr.
Seaman and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which his wife holds
membership. In politics he is a Republican. Socially he is a member of the
Masonic order, No. 515, Galena and Raymond Arch Chapter of Marionville, Mo., No.
97, as well as of Commandery No. 54 at the same place. Aside from this, Mr.
Seaman is a member of Galena Post No. 323, G. A. R., and has been commander of
the post. He has also been worshipful master of the Masonic lodge of Galena for
years, and is a charter member of the Masonic order and the post.

Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

A REMINISCENT HISTORY OF THE OZARK REGION

COMPRISING A CONDENSED GENERAL HISTORY, A BRIEF DESCRIPTIVE HISTORY OF EACH
COUNTY, AND NUMEROUS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF SUCH COUNTIES.

ILLUSTRATED.

CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS.
1894.

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