Person:Charles Seaver (28)

A biography of Charles S. Seaver was published in the book "Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois" published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, 1890, page 315. It reads:

"CHARLES S. SEAVER, successor to the firm of Monroe & Seaver, wholesale dealers in flour, fruits, produce, cigars and tobacco, occupies a prominent business place on La Fayette Street, where he has been established since October 4, 1884. At that date the firm was organized being a continuation of the business of G. Monroe & Son, wholesale grocers. Mr. Seaver then purchased with George H. Monroe, and interest in the business with which he remained connected until September, 1888, and then became sole proprietor. The building is a fine brick and stone structure, comprising an office and warerooms, a large store and basement. It is located opposite the Rock Island depot, which was built in 1887 and they do a business approaching $500,000 annually. In addition to his city employees, three salesmen represent his interests on the road. Mr. Seaver is an enterprising, go-ahead man and forms no unimportant factor among the business interests of Joliet.

"A native of Orleans County, Vt., the subject of this notice was born August 17, 1852, and is the son of Samuel Stillman Seaver, likewise a native of the Green Mountain State. The latter grew to manhood in his native county and was married to Miss Martha Wright. He was born in 1808, followed farming and merchandising, and spent his entire life upon his native soil, dying in September, 1870 at the age of sixty-two years. The circumstances of his death were very distressing he having been run over by a train of cars, death ensuing in a short time. He was one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in the State and under their solemn ceremonials his remains were consigned to their last rest. The mother being ill at the time, survived the shock only four weeks. Mr. Seaver dealt quite extensively in live stock, mostly cattle and horses.

"To the parents of our subject there was born a family of five children, viz.: Clarendon S., and Charles S., residents of Joliet; Henry Q. in Geneva, Neb.; William W., Walnut Grove, Minn.; and Mattie E., in Milwaukee, Wis.

"Charles S., our subject, acquired a good practical education in the schools of his native county and engaged in the mercantile business until coming to Joliet in 1881. In this city he first purchased the retail grocery business of G. Monroe & Son, which was located in the Opera House Building and conducting this until purchasing that which he now owns.

"Mr. Seaver was married in September, 1872, to Miss Ella A. Parker, of Orleans County, Vt., and they are the parents of on child, a daughter, Maude E. Mrs. Seaver was born November 27, 1851, in Vermont, and is the daughter of John C. Parker, an old resident of Vermont. Clarendon S. came to Joliet in 1884, and has made this city his headquarters since that time."

Another biography of Charles S. Seaver was published in the book "A Compendium of Freemasonry in Illinois: Embracing a Review of the Introduction, Development and Present Condition of Degrees: Together with biographical Sketches of distinguished Members of the Fraternity," by George William Warvelle, published by Lewis Publishing company, Chicago, Illinois, 1897 (page 597). It reads:

"CHARLES S. SEAVER. -- The sum total of human happiness lies in the contentment of the soul, a social unity of mankind, and an entire absence of all selfish and vain ambitions and desires which cause in their gratification a bitter struggle for supremacy. The attainment of this mental and moral condition has been the all absorbing object of Freemasonry, and as the years speed by and are lost in the abyss of the past, the goal aimed at approaches nearer and nearer until the hands of time shall point to its perfect consummation. One of the worthy and industrious members of the craft in Joliet, Illinois, is Charles S. Seaver, who has been prominently identified with the local bodies of that city for some years past, during which time he has been thoroughly in sympathy with the tenets of the order, and by his kindly consideration and manly qualities has won the warm regard of his brothers, who honor him for his intrinsic worth and his many excellent traits.

"Mr. Seaver was initiated and made a Master Mason in Matteson Lodge, No. 175, was exalted to the august degree of Royal Arch Mason in Joliet Chapter, No. 27, received the degrees of Royal and Select Master in Joliet Council, No. 82, was created a Sir Knight in Joliet Commandery, No. 4, and attained the ineffable degree of Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in Oriental consistory at Chicago. He is also a member of the social branch of Masonry, being a Noble in the Mystic Shrine in Medinah Temple.

"The birth of Mr. Seaver occurred in Glover, Orleans county, Vermont, August 17, 1853. His youth was spent on a farm, performing the work incident to such a life and attending the public schools of Glover. When he was fourteen years old the family removed to Coventry, Vermont, where our subject lived until he was eighteen years of age, when his parents died. He then secured a position in a lumber mill, where he remained for five years. Next he went to Coaticooke, Canada, and in 1878 embarked in the grocery business, which he carried on for three years and a half, at the end of that time going to Chicago, where he remained for about a year. In 1882 he came to Joliet and bought out the firm of George Monroe & Son, retail grocers, and conducted the store for four years. He then became associated with George H. Monroe, and they established a wholesale flour, fruit and produce business, which they managed until 1886, when Mr. Seaver purchased the interest of his partner and continued alone until January 1, 1897, when he added a wholesale grocery department and incorporated a stock company.

"Mr. Seaver is a self-made man in the broadest sense of the word, starting out in life with no other capital but a pair of stout arms and firm determination to make a place for himself in the world. His success, although gradual, is now assured, and is due entirely to his unaided efforts and personal worth.

"In 1874 Mr. Seaver was united in wedlock to Miss Ella A. Parker, a native of Vermont, and they have one daughter, Maud E. Mr. Seaver is a member of the Union Club, and he and his family attend the Episcopal Church."

CENSUS RECORDS:

In the 1881 Canadian census, this family resided in Coaticook, Stanstead County, Quebec. The household included Charles Seaver (married, male, English ancestry, age 28, born in USA, a merchant, Wesleyan Methodist religion), Ella A. Seaver (married, female, English ancestry, age 28, born USA, Wesleyan Methodist religion), Maud E. Seaver (female, English ancestry, age 7, born USA, Wesleyan Methodist religion) and John C. Parker (widowed, male, English ancestry, age 60, born Canada, a clerk, Wesleyan Methodist religion) (Charles Seaver household, Coaticook township, Stanstead County, Quebec, 1881 Canadian Census, Household 199, Page 39, District 56G, Division 1, Canadian Archives Film NA-13199, also on FHL Film 1,375,835, transcription accessed at www.familysearch.org web site).

In the 1900 US Census, this family resided at 911 Cass Street in the 1st Ward of Joliet, Will County, Illinois. The household included Chas S. Seaver (head, white, male, born Aug 1850, age 49, married 26 years, born VT, parents born VT/VT, a grocer, works in wholesale, owns home free of mortgage), Ella Seaver (wife, white, female, born Nov 1854, age 45, married for 26 years, 1 child born, 1 living, born VT, parents born VT/VT) and Maude E. Seaver (daughter, white, female, born Jul 1875, age 25, single, born VT, parents born VT/VT) (Chas S. Seaver household, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, 1900 United States Census, Line 96, Dwelling #33, Family #37, Sheet 2B, ED 118, Page 17, National Archives Microfilm Series T623, Roll 353).

In the 1910 US Census, this family resided at 911 Cass Street in the 1st Ward of Joliet, Will County, Illinois. The household included Ella A. Seaver (head, female, white, age 54, first marriage, 1 child born, 1 living, born VT, parents born VT/VT, has own income, owns home free of mortgage), Maude E. Seaver (daughter, female, white, age 30, single, born VT, parents born VT/VT, has own income) and Harry Hobes (cousin, male, white, age 28, single, born OH, parents born VT/OH, a yard clerk, works on railroad) (Ella A. Seaver household, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, 1910 United States Census, Line 10, Dwelling #170, Family #214, Sheet 10A, ED 166, Page 289, National Archives Microfilm Series T624, Roll 334).

In the 1920 US Census, this family resided at 911 Cass Street in the 1st Ward of Joliet, Will County, Illinois. The household included Ella A. Seaver (head, female, white, age 61, divorced, born VT, parents born VT/VT, no occupation, owns home free of mortgage) and Maud Seaver (daughter, female, white, age 30, single, born Canada, parents born VT/VT, a commercial painter, works in studio) (Ella A. Seaver household, Joliet, Will County, Illinois, 1920 United States Census, Line 50, Dwelling #??, Family #301, Sheet 12A, ED 183, Page 27, National Archives Microfilm Series T625, Roll 416).