BIO: Richard J. SEE, Lebanon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Biographical Annals of Lebanon County Pennsylvania.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1904
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Pages 7-8

RICHARD J. SEE.  Among the prominent and influential citizens of Lebanon county 
few occupy a more enviable position in public esteem than does Richard J. See, 
the president of the Myerstown National Bank, and business man and capitalist 
well known all over the State.

Br [sic] birth Mr. See is a Pennsylvanian, and his early ancestors were of 
German extraction, his maternal grandfather, Jacob Seltzer, having been a native 
of Germany, and one of the leading and most influential men in Berks county, 
through a long and active life.  The birth of Mr. See took place at Womelsdorf, 
in Berks county, and he was one of a family of six children born to George and 
Elizabeth (Seltzer) See, the former of whom was born in 1799, in Schuylkill 
county, Pa., and came to Berks county in young manhood.  By trade he was a 
builder and contractor, and became well and favorably known in his locality, 
rearing a family which has reflected credit upon him and the community.  His 
wife, Elizabeth (Seltzer), born in 1804, died October 7, 1884, and the death of 
Mr. See occurred in 1869.  Their children were as follows:  Jonathan, of Berks 
county; Charles, of Ashland, Schuylkill county; Eliza, deceased; Richard J., of 
Myerstown; Helen, wife of John A. Oberly, of Oil City, Pa.; and Jane, who died 
young.  In politics Mr. See was identified with the Democratic party.  The 
family was reared in and has always been consistently connected with the 
Reformed Church.

Richard J. See was reared in the village of his birth, and secured his education 
in the local schools.  At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of a 
village merchant, Elias Fiddler, in the capacity of clerk, and there he learned 
the principles of this business, which five years later he put into practice, 
when, in association with William S. Filbert, he purchased Mr. Fiddler's 
business and conducted a general store for the succeeding five years.  In 1861 
he came to Lebanon county and engaged in farming, continuing to follow 
agricultural pursuits for some seven years, and then began dealing in horses, 
and for fifteen years he continued to follow this line, becoming well known east 
and west for his honest and upright methods of doing business.  In 1884 he 
retired from the farm, and with his wife and infant granddaughter removed to 
Myerstown, where he purchased an elegant home, and which pleasant city has ever 
since been their place of residence.  As one of the organizers of the Myerstown 
Bank, his interest has always centered in this institution and he has served on 
its board of directors and as vice-president, and, upon the death of the late A. 
H. Carmony, became its able president.  Since that time his careful, 
conservative course has retained him the confidence of the financial world, and 
he is one of the most highly regarded citizens of this place.

In 1858 Mr. See was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Leisse, daughter 
of John S. and Rebecca (Van Reed) Leisse, prominent farming people of Berks 
county, now deceased, who had a family of three children, Margaret Anna, John 
Calvin, and Mrs. See, the latter being the only survivor.  One daughter was born 
to Mr. and Mrs. See, Annie R., who became the wife of George H. Horst, and who 
passed away at the early age of twenty-two years, on October 28, 1884, leaving 
behind an infant daughter, Mary E., who has taken her mother's place in the 
hearts and home of her grandparents.  She is a young lady of most winning 
personality, and is pursuing her studies at Bryn Mawr College, being 
particularly talented in music.

Like his honored father, Mr. See has always supported Democratic candidates and 
principles.  He is a man of unerring judgment and has consistently sustained a 
reputation for safe and conservative business methods.  He is at all times 
approachable in matters concerning the public weal, and is charitable and 
benevolent in private life, never having been a man of ostentation.  In him 
Myerstown finds one of her best citizens.