****************************************************************************
File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format 
without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net.

****************************************************************************

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

****************************************************************************

The Biography of George Washington SEATON 

Pages 230-231, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BABCOCK, CULTON, DOWNING, GILL, GLEASON, INGERSOLL, ROBERTS, SEATON, UNDERWOOD] 

    
GEORGE WASHINGTON SEATON. Even a cursory view of the business establishments of Canton will reveal the fact that they are in charge of men of tact, push and good judgment. In the goods upon their shelves, the order which characterizes them, and the honorable, courteous way in which patrons are treated, they vie with those of much larger cities. One of these flourishing establishments is the grocery store of our subject, who carries a large and well-selected stock, and occupies a favorable location on the east side of the square. 
    
The grandfather of our subject, John Seaton, was a native of Germany, whose home after emigration was in Tennessee. There James Seaton, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He removed to Indiana about 1817, there marrying Winifred Roberts. This lady was a native of Kentucky, but in her girlhood had accompanied her father, Thomas Roberts, to the Hoosier State. James Seaton was engaged in tilling the soil, and made the Hoosier State his home during all of his later years. His widow died on the same place in 1882, full of years and honors. She was the mother of four sons and two daughters, one son and one daughter being now deceased. 
    
The birth of our subject took place in Crawford County, Ind., near Leavenworth, May 9, 1833. His early boyhood was spent in attendance at the common schools near his home, and he subsequently continued his studies in a private school in Kentucky, having relatives there with whom he could make his home. When about eighteen years old he began his mercantile experience as a clerk in the dry goods store of J. F. & J. W. Ingersoll, in Canton, remaining in the establishment five years. He then formed a partnership with R. B. Underwood, and under the firm name of Seaton & Underwood embarked in the dry-goods business. The connection continued until 1862 when the business was disposed of, and Mr. Seaton became a partner with A. C. Babcock, the new firm doing an extensive business during the war, and continuing some years longer, when they were swept out by fire, sustaining a heavy loss. The firm was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Seaton connected himself with W. B. Gleason & Co., in the dry-goods business. He remained attache of that firm until 1885 when he opened a grocery store on the south side of the square. January 1, 1890, he removed to his present site with increased facilities to accommodate his growing trade. 
    
Mr. Seaton was fortunate in his choice of a life companion, winning Miss Louisa Culton, daughter of Robert Culton of this city. The marriage rites were celebrated at the home of the bride in 1858, and the congenial union has been blessed by the birth of six children. They are named respectively, William P., Anna, Charles A., Kate, Frederick and George Washington. Anna is the wife of Fred Patee, of Peoria; Kate married W. E. Gill, of Canton; the eldest son and Charles are traveling salesmen, and Frederick is the clerk in a dry-goods store. The youngest son is still attending school. Mrs. Seaton died in 1879, and our subject was again married September 6, 1890, to Miss M. V. Downing, of Canton. 
    
Mr. Seaton was the first cigar inspector of Canton, and acted in that capacity two years. He has served as Alderman from the First Ward five terms, and is still discharging the duties of that position, working faithfully to advance the interests of his constituents and the city at large. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 734, F. & A. M. He belongs to the Republican party, and is steadfast in the support of the principles in which he firmly believes.