Arthur H. Seymour Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1058-1059 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	ARTHUR H. SEYMOUR, minister and educator, was born in Portage 
county, Ohio, August 15, 1868. His father, Deming Seymour, a native of 
Massachusetts, was the son of Gideon and Corinthia Seymour, both of 
English descent, their respective ancestors being among the earliest 
settlers of New England. In his young manhood Deming Seymour married 
Miss Harriet Hallock, of Portage county, Ohio, whose parents, Colonel 
William R. and Julia Hallock, were also descended from old New England 
families, several representatives of which served in the colonial army 
during the Revolutionary war. Some of the Seymours were also heroes of 
that struggle and rendered distinguished service in the cause for 
independence. Deming Seymour grew to maturity on a farm in Portage 
county, Ohio, and after his marriage, engaged in the pursuit of 
agriculture near Roostown, where he lived until his removal to Windham, 
in the same county, some years later. He departed this life at the 
latter place in February, 1888, leaving a widow who now lives with her 
daughter in the city of Cleveland, and three children, namely: Arthur 
H., of this review; Alice, wife of C. R. Bissell, Esq., and George D., a 
prominent business man of Windham, Ohio. 

	Arthur H. Seymour spent his early life in the village of Windham 
and in 1886, when eighteen years old, was graduated from the high school 
of that place. He then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where 
he completed the prescribed course in 1887 and subsequently 1898, 
received the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution. He also 
studied one year at Oberlin. After finishing his education he spent 
seven years teaching in the schools of Portage county, three of which 
were devoted to high school work, and in 1895 he yielded to a desire of 
long standing by entering the ministry of the Church of Christ, locating 
the same year with a congregation at Carthage, South Dakota. After 
preaching at that point until September, 1897, he took charge of the 
church at Arlington, and two years later accepted the superintendency of 
the Arlington public schools, the duties of which position he has since 
discharged in connection with his ministerial work. Professor Seymour's 
present pastorale has been signally successful. Since entering upon his 
labors the church has prospered along every line of activity, its 
membership has greatly increased, a marked spiritual growth has also 
been noticeable and in 1902 the beautiful and commodious edifice in 
which the congregation how worships was erected and dedicated to the 
services of God. Professor Seymour's religious work has not been 
restricted to the specific field in which he now labors, but has 
extended throughout the state, as he served two years as secretary of 
the State Christian Endeavor Union, and one year as president, during 
which time he traveled quite extensively, preaching at many points and 
striving to strengthen the organization and add to its influence and 
efficiency.  

	As an educator the Professor occupies a prominent position among 
the leading school men of South Dakota, and his reputation as a 
superintendent is second to that of but few of his compeers. The high 
standard of excellence which the educational system of Arlington has 
attained under his management affords the best evidence of his ability 
as an organizer, and it is now generally conceded that in point of 
efficiency the schools of that town are among the best in the county. 
His services as an institute conductor are in great demand and he spends 
no little part of his vacations in this kind of work. He has conducted 
two very successful institutes in Kingsbury county, and has also labored 
efficiently in similar institutions in the counties of Gregory and 
Miner. He is a member of the state and national educational 
associations, and of the Religious Education Association. In addition to 
the above bodies, Professor Seymour is identified with the Brotherhood 
of American Yeomen, of Arlington, besides manifesting at all times a 
lively interest in local organizations for the promotion of educational 
and religious endeavor.  

	On November 12, 1896, Professor Seymour was united in marriage 
with Miss Jennie I. Sanford of Portage county, Ohio, who died in June, 
1898, after a most happy wedded life. In 1900 he married Miss  Flora M. 
Wilson, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who for several years had been a 
teacher in the public schools of that city. Like her husband, Mrs. 
Seymour is active in all lines of church and general religious work, and 
has served very efficiently as president and secretary of the State 
Christian Endeavor Union, a position requiring a high order of clerical 
and executive ability. Professor and Mrs. Seymour have two children, a 
son by the name of Gideon Deming and a daughter named Margaret Isabel.