WI BIO - Sheboygan Co 
SEAMAN, William & William H.

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, pp 996-997

Biography of William SEAMAN - pp 996-997 (father of William H.)

William SEAMAN, deceased, was born 23 December 1805 in Catskill [Greene 
County] New York. In 1841 he came to Milwaukee [Territory of Wisconsin]; 
lived there about one year; then went to New Berlin [then in Milwaukee 
County, but after 31 January 1846 in Waukesha County; State of Wisconsin 
created 29 May 1848], and resided there less than a year; returned to 
Milwaukee and soon afterward went to Ceresco [just west of what later became 
Ripon, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin], being one of the earliest members of 
the Fourierite Association [a socialist organization based on the philosophy 
of Charles FORNIER], which located at that point. [The socialist settlement 
at Ceresco founded in May 1844 was dissolved by 1880.] He remained there 
until the fall of 1845 or spring of 1846, when he [p 997] came to Sheboygan 
County; located at the Pigeon [the Pigeon River or its valley, north of the 
city of Sheboygan], where he remained one year; then came to Sheboygan. 
["William SEAMAN" is listed in the history of Sheboygan County among those 
settlers who came between 1845 and 1850.] He was engaged in the business of 
harness making here for ten years, and in the grocery business about two 
years. He then he went to Central America, and was agent of the American 
Transit Company, Nicaragua route, being located at the central part of the 
route. He spent two years in that position, and then returned to Sheboygan. 
In 1866 he removed to Grand Rapids [Kent County], Michigan, where he died 16 
January 1877.

He [William SEAMAN] was married 05 September 1831 to Arelisle CRANE [a maiden 
name?], who was born 14 August 1811 at Canton [Norfolk County], 
Massachusetts. She is [1881] living, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Van 
E. YOUNG, at Grand Rapids [Kent County, Michigan] part of the time, and with 
her son, William H. [SEAMAN], at Sheboygan, a portion of the time. She was 
always a leader in all movements for the advancement of society, the 
amelioration of the condition of those classes demanding the attention of 
benevolent-minded people, and during the entire period of the war, served 
with distinction as President of a Sanitary Commission, which effected so 
much good at the time when such services were invaluable.

Their family [the family of William and Arelisle SEAMAN] consisted of three 
children: (1) Charles [SEAMAN] was connected with Quartermasters' 
Department, Army of the Cumberland, and died 31 May 1864 at Chattanooga, 
Tennessee, aged nineteen years [by calculation born about 1845]; their only 
daughter, (2) Arelisle Crane, is now the wife of Van E. YOUNG, of Grand 
Rapids [Kent County], Michigan; and (3) William H. [SEAMAN] is an attorney 
and present Mayor of Sheboygan. [Note the submitter has not capitalized 
"Crane." The biography is unclear whether the daughter was born "Arelisle 
Crane SEAMAN." Although unlikely, the daughter could have become "Arelisle 
(SEAMAN) CRANE" through a prior marriage.]



Biography of William H. SEAMAN - p 997 (son of William)

William H. SEAMAN, lawyer, was born 15 November 1842 in New Berlin [then in 
Milwaukee County, Territory of Wisconsin], son of William and Arelisle 
(CRANE) SEAMAN. He came to Sheboygan with his parents when he was about four 
years of age [by calculation from his given birthdate, about 1846. Sheboygan 
was in Milwaukee County until Sheboygan County was created 07 December 1836. 
The boundaries of Sheboygan County have not changed since its creation.] His 
first business was that of printer, for two years in the office of the 
Sheboygan "Times," studying law at the same time with Crosby W. ELLIS. On 16 
September 1861 he [William H. SEAMAN] enlisted in Company H, First Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry. He was in active service with his company for one year, 
then on detached duty at the headquarters of General THOMAS for two years. 
From October 1864 to 01 September [1865] he was Chief Clerk in the 
Quartermaster's Department, stationed at New Orleans, Mobile, Nashville, etc. 
In September 1866 he returned to Sheboygan, resumed the study of law, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1868.

He [William H. SEAMAN] was City Attorney four years, but resigned that 
position owing to his extensive practice. He is now [1881] Mayor of the city 
[of Sheboygan]. He has drawn all the articles of incorporation of the 
various stock companies which have been organized here since he commenced 
position, and is attorney for all the corporations. He was one of the most 
active men in getting the Phoenix Chair Company started, and is a stockholder 
of that company, also of the Sheboygan Manufacturing Company.

He [William H. SEAMAN] was married 17 December 1868 at Glen's Falls [Warren 
County], New York, to [Miss?] Mary A. PEAT. She was born in Albany [Albany 
County], New York. They [William H. and Mary A. SEAMAN] have three children: 
(1) Arelisle J., (2) Charles, and (3) Mary. Mr. SEAMAN is a member of 
the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 11, and Harmony Chapter. He is 
one of the oldest members of the present lodge. His father [William SEAMAN] 
was one of the charter members. [See the 1850 Sheboygan County Census, 
Lyndon and Plymouth Townships, for William SEAMAN. David SEAMAN, who in 1850 
resided in Sheboygan Falls Township, may be related.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly