ABRAHAM I. “ABRAM” SEEBER

Abraham I. “Abram” Seeber
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B: September 1, 1814 in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, NY
D: March 5, 1897 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL
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  • Father: Johannes Wilhelm “John William”” Seeber born May 13, 1776 in Montgomery County, NY; married Elizabeth Waldradt; John died August 27, 1851 in Montgomery County, NY; buried in Seeber Cemetery in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, NY; a blacksmith by trade
  • Mother: Elizabeth (Waldradt) Seeber born August 13, 1777 in Montgomery County, NY; Elizabeth died March 7, 1843 in Montgomery County, NY
  • Wife: Delilah (Marble) Seeber born May 20, 1821 in Willoughby, Lake County, OH, daughter of Levi Marble (1790-1874) and Elizabeth “Betsey” (Granger) Marble (1791-1878). (See section pertaining to Levi Marble buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery) (See section pertaining to Elizabeth “Betsey” (Granger) Marble buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); married Abraham I. “Abram” Seeber on January 25, 1841 in Lake County, IL; Delilah died April 14, 1903 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL. (See section pertaining to Delilah (Marble) Seeber buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery.)
  • Children:
    1. Sarah Ann (Seeber) Burnett born November 18, 1841 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; married Captain George Henry Burnett (1837-1923) on April 8, 1868 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL, son of Amzi Burnett (1808-1891) and Joanna (Granger) Burnett (1810-1890); Their children were: (1) Seeber Heath Burnett (1869-1963), (2) George F. Burnett (1872-1884), (3) Henry Clinton Burnett (1874-1944), (4) child Burnett (1876-1876), (5) Delilah Burnett (1878-1883), (6) Joanna “Josie” (Burnett) Wilder (1883-1857), (7) Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” (Burnett) Thomas (1887-1960); Sarah died March 4, 1918 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL; Sarah and George are buried in Pine View Memorial Park, Beach Park, Lake County, IL.

According to the Waukegan Daily Sun (Waukegan IL) Tuesday, March 5, 1918, pages 1 and 8:

“MRS. G. H. BURNETT,
PIONEER RESIDENT.
PASSES AWAY HERE
——–
Mrs. Burnett Had Made Home
Here Since her Marriage
April 8, 1868.
——–
ATTENDED OLD ACADEMY
——–
Her Husband Was Captain of
Company B. of the Fight-
ing 96th in Civil War
——–

   Mrs. Sarah A. Burnett (nee Seeber) age 76, passed away Monday night at 7:10 o’clock at her home, Washington and West streets.  Death was not unexpected as her condition had been most critical for the last several days.  Mrs. Burnett broke one of her limbs last July and while she had been able to get around somwhat (sic), her decline in health dated from that accident.  During the last four weeks a dropsical condition had developed and she failed much more rapidly.
   Mrs. Burnett was one o fthe (sic) city’s best known old time residents, having lived here continuously since her marriage, April 8, 1868.  She was born in the town of Wauconda and lived there until her marriage to Captain George H. Burnett of Company B, of the “Fighting 96th Regiment” of Illinois, which regiment played an important part in the Civil war.  Mrs. Burnett attended the old Waukegan Academy.
   Besides her aged husband, Mrs. Burnett leaves the following sons and daughters, all of Waukegan; Seeber H. Burnett, H. C. Burnett, Mrs. H. J. Wilder and Mrs. Harry Thomas.  A sister, Mrs. Carrie Combs, resides at Fort Hill.  There are three grandchildren.
   Funeral Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, at the residence, Rev. Rompel officiating.  Interment in Pine View cemetery.”

2. Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” (Seeber) Combs born October 1, 1843 in Lake County, IL; married William T. Combs (1830-1902) on November 20, 1869 in Wauconda, Lake County, IL; Their children were (1) Alice B. Combs (1871-1873) (See section pertaining to Alice B. Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery), (2) Abram B. Combs (1872—1947) buried in the East Fox Lake Cemetery, Lake Villa, Lake County, IL, (3) William “Willie” Combs (1874-?), (4) Clinton Bond Combs (1877-1953) (See section pertaining to Clinton Bond Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery); Caroline died July 10, 1929 in Sandwich, DeKalb County, IL (See section pertaining to Caroline Elizabeth “Carrie” (Seeber) Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)  (See section pertaining to William T. Combs buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

3. Mary E. Seeber born October 31, 1845; Mary died September 27, 1846. (See section pertaining to Mary E. Seeber buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)

  • Siblings:
    • Henry Seeber; resided in Jefferson County, NY
    • Daniel Seeber born March 29, 1817 in Ames, Montgomery County, NY; married Myra D. Benton (1821-1904), daughter of Hylan A. Benton and Eleanor Cynthia (Hodges) Benton; Daniel died November 23, 1896 in Tuolumne County, CA; buried in Sonora Odd Fellows Cemetery in Sonora, Tuolumne County, CA born March 29, 1817 in Ames, Montgomery County, NY; married Myra D. Benton (1821-1904) on December 27, 1840, daughter of Hylan A. Benton and Eleanor Cynthia (Hodges) Benton; Daniel died March 8, 1896 in Quartz Mountain (mining town), Tuolumne County, CA; buried in Sonora Odd Fellows Cemetery, Sonora, Tuolumne County, CA

According to the Evening Mail (Stockton CA) Tuesday, December 1, 1896, page 5:

“DIED.

SEEBER – In Quartz Mountain, November 26, 1896, William (sic probably Daniel) Seeber, a native of New York, aged 79 years”

According to the Modesto Bee (Modesto CA) Tuesday, December 8, 1896, page 1:

“Letters of Administration.

Mrs. Myra Seeber, widow of the late Daniel Seeber, has made application for letters of administration upon the estate of her late husband, who died in Tuolumne county on November 23, 1896.  The property consists of a life insurance policy for $1000.  The heirs-at-law are the applicant and Byron Seeber and Danford Seeber, of Oakdale, and Benton Seeber, of Quartz Mountain, Tuolumne county.  Needham & Dennett are attorneys for the applicant.”

According to the Oakdale Graphic (Oakdale CA) Wednesday, November 8, 1904, page 4:

“Death of Mrs. Seeber.

   Mrs. Myra D. Seeber was born January 25, 1821, at Ames, Montgomery county, N.Y.  She came to California in 1855 and resided at Sonora for thirty years.  She also resided at the Crystalline mines for ten years.  She came to Oakdale March, 1895, and has made her home with her son, B. Seeber, since.   Three sons in California survive her.  Mrs. Seeber has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years.  She had been in feeble health for a number of years, but has been ill but one week.  Beside her sons she leaves two sisters, Mrs. E. M. Stoddard of Merced and Mrs. K. D. Curtis of Stockton.
   The funeral occurred at 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon from the M. E. Church, Rev. Alfred J. Case, officiating.  The services opened with a song – “My Lord Thy Will Be Done.”  Prayer by Rev. A. J. Case was followed by the hymn, “We Shall Meet Beyond the River.”  The remarks of the pastor were of a touching and comforting nature as befitted the occasion of the burial of one who had lived long and well.  The closing hymn was “Jesus Lover of My Soul.”  Interment in Citizens Cemetery.
   The pall bearers were J. O. Gardner, R. E. Murtha, M. Oxindine, M. Firebaugh, A. J. Williamson, D. A. Learned.
   Choir – A. D. Sivley, Chester Cain, Miss Grace Holliway, Mrs. A. N. Burch.”

    • Elizabeth (Seeber) Charlesworth; resided in Montgomery County, NY
    • Garret Seeber born 1839 in New York; married Sophia Weed (1829-1879) daughter of Lewis Weed (1791-1864) and Esther (Stebbins) Weed (1793-1874); D. Garrett died 1884; Garet and Sophia are buried in the Woodland Cemetery, McHenry, McHenry County, IL

Additional Information:

According to the Illinois State Archives, Illinois Public Domain Land Detail, www.cyberdriveillinois.com:

“Purchaser: Seeber Abram J; Residence of Purchaser: unknown; Legal Description: Aliquot Parts or Lot: E2SE; Section Number: 02; Township: 44N; Range: 09E; Meridian: 3; County of Purchase: Lake; Details of Sale: Acres: 80.00; Price per Acre: 1.25; Total Price: 100.00; Type of Sale: FD; Date of Purchase: 09/30/1840; Volume: 685; Page: 241”

 According to the Illinois State Archives, Illinois Public Domain Land Detail, www.cyberdriveillinois.com:

“Purchaser: Seeber Abram J; Residence of Purchaser: unknown; Legal Description: Aliquot Parts or Lot: NWSE; Section Number: 02; Township: 44N; Range: 09E; Meridian: 3; County of Purchase: Lake; Details of Sale: Acres: 40.00; Price per Acre: 1.25; Total Price: 50.00; Type of Sale: FD; Date of Purchase: 11/13/1845; Volume: 685; Page: 241”

According to the 1850 U. S. Census for the town of Wauconda, Lake County, IL the household members were: 

“Abram Seaver (sic), age 36, occupation: farmer; born in New York; Delila Seaver (sic), age 28, born in Ohio; Sarah A. Seaver (sic) age 9, born in Illinois; Caroline E. Seaver (sic), age 7, born in Illinois; Levi Wait, age 16, occupation: farmer, born in Ohio.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, November 1, 1851, page 2:

“Lake Co. Agricultural Society.

   The following persons have been appointed to circulate subscription papers in their respective towns, to get signers to the Lake County Agricultural Society.  It is hoped that all who take any interest in its welfare will become Members.:
   WAUCONDA – Just Bangs, Thomas F. Slocum, A. J. Seeber (sic), and J. T. McKenny.”

According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town Wauconda, Lake County, IL with a Wauconda Post Office the household members were:

“A. Sebar (sic), age 46, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Delally Sebar (sic), age 38, born in Ohio; Sarah Sebar (sic), age 19, occupation: D. S. Teacher, born in Illinois; Caroline Sebar (sic) age 17, born in Illinois; Barney McCarth, age 12, born in Illinois; L. Smith, age 26, occupation: Farm Laborer, born in New York”

According to the 1870 U.S. Census for Wauconda, Lake County, Il with a Wauconda Post Office, the household members were:

“Abram J Seber (sic), age 65, occupation: farmer, born in New York; Delila Seber (sic), age 49, wife, born in Ohio”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, March 4, 1876, page 3:

   “Auction. – On Thursday next A. I. Seeber will sell at auction on his farm near Volo, a large amount of stock and utensils.  Since his bills were out he has decided to sell 20 cows that were not mentioned in the advertisement.”

According to the Waukegan Weekly Gazette (Waukegan IL) Saturday, July 19, 1879, page 3:

   “A. I. Seeber, Esq., of this city, and A. V. Smith, Esq., of Fremont, in this county, start for California next week, designing to be absent from one to two months.”

According to the 1880 U.S. Census for the City of Waukegan, Lake County, IL the household members were:

“Abram I Seeber, age 65, married, occupation: retired farmer, born in New York, parents born in New York; Dellia Seeber, age 59, wife, married, occupation: keeps house, born in Ohio, parents born in Massachusetts.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, August 13, 1888, page 6:

   “MORE OF THE OLD BOYS. –  A Long List of Whigs Who Now Live in Lake County. – Highland Park, Ill., Aug. 12 [Special.] – The following list of old veterans who live in Lake County and voted for Harrison in 1840 is printed by the Waukegan Gazette.  Besides the names their present address and place of voting in 1840 are given where known:… A. I. Seeber, Waukegan….Half Day, Ill.”

 According to the Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999 of Abraham I Seeber dated September 1, 1890:

“In the name of God Amen: I, Abraham I. Seeber, of the City of Waukegan, County of Lake and State of Illinois, of the age of Seventy Six years and being of sound, disposing mind, and memory, do make publish and declare, this instrument in writing, to be my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that’s to say:  After the payment of all my just debts, including my funeral and burial charges, and expenses, I give devise and bequest unto my beloved wife Delila Seeber, all my property, real, personal and mixed property and estate, of which I may die seized or possessed.  Wheresoever the same may be situate to have and to hold, and enjoy the use of said property, and estate to her self, during the term of her natural life ___.  After the death of my beloved wife Delila Seeber, I give devise and bequest unto my two daughters Sarah A. Burnett (wife of George H. Burnett.) and Caroline E. Combs (wife of William Combs.) all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and property, in equal parts.  Share and share alike _____.  After the division of my said property and estate, among my two daughters, Sarah A. Burnett, and Caroline E. Combs, I request that they retain one half part of their shares for themselves, the other one half part, of their share, they divide equally among their children.
   And lastly, I do hereby appoint my said wife, Delila Seeber, Sarah A. Burnett, and Caroline E. Combs, Executrices of this my last will and testament, and I hereby request, that no security be required of them, for this faithful discharge of them duties or such executrices, hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made.
   In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this First day of September A.D. 1890.

                                                Abraham I Seeber {Signed}

Signed sealed and declared by the above named Abraham I . Seeber, to be his last will and testament in the presence of per, who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses thereto.

                                    Albert L. Hendee  Waukegan, Ill.
                                    Geo. W. Hutchinson   Waukegan, Ills”

According to Portrait and Biographical Album of Lake County, Illinois; Chicago; Lake City Publishing Co.; 1891, pages 249-250:

   “ABRAHAM I. SEEBER, of Waukegan is one of the oldest settlers in the county. He was born in the township of Canajoharie, Montgomery County, N. Y., September 1, 1814, and is of German descent. His paternal grandfather, William Seeber, was a native of Germany and emigrated to the United States, settling in the township where our subject was born. He served as an orderly in the War for Independence and his brother, Capt. Jacob Seeber, was killed in the battle of Oriskany during the Revolution. John W. Seeber, father of our subject, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., May 13, 1776, and followed blacksmithing for a livelihood. He married Elizabeth Waldradt who was born in the same county, August 13, 1777, and was also of German lineage, her father, William Waldradt having been born in Germany but her mother was a native of the United States. They reared a family of nine children, all of whom lived to maturity, were married and had families of their own. Four are yet living—Henry who resides in Jefferson County, N. Y.; Abraham of this sketch; Daniel, a resident of California; and Mrs. Elizabeth Charlesworth who still lives in Montgomery County, N. Y. The parents spent the greater part of their lives in Montgomery County where Mr. Seeber died August 27. 1851, and his wife on the 7th of March 1843. They were both members of the Dutch Reformed Church and in political sentiment he was a supporter of the Whig principles.
   Our subject was the seventh child in their family and under the parental roof he was reared to manhood while his education was acquired in the old time subscription schools. At the age of eighteen he began learning the carpenter’s trade and on attaining his majority he went to Ontario County, N. Y. where he followed that occupation until 1837. Following the advice of Horace Greeley, in that year he came West, landing in Chicago, Ill., on the 26th of July, and the next day witnessed his arrival in Lake County. He settled on a claim in Wauconda Township, and as soon as the land came into market entered one hundred and sixty acres, to which he kept adding from time to time until he owned a tract of three hundred and sixty-live acres which paid a golden tribute to his care and cultivation. He made a good farm and improved it well and although he encountered the usual experiences of pioneer life, prosperity attended his efforts and he is now living upon a comfortable competence, the fruit of former toil.
   On the 28th of January, 1841, Mr. Seeber and Miss Deliah Marble were married in this county. The lady was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, May 20, 1821, and is a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Granger) Marble, both of whom were of English descent and came to this county with their family in 1838. They were parents of nine children and both were members of the Christian Church. By occupation Mr. Marble was a farmer and in his district he served as Justice of Peace. He was born May 10, 1789, and died March 4, 1874, while his wife, who was born March 26, 1791, was called to her final rest at the age of eighty-seven years.
   Mr. Seeber and his wife began their domestic life upon his farm in Wauconda Township and their home was brightened by the presence of three children. Sarah A., the eldest, is the wife of George H. Burnett of Waukegan and they have four children; Caroline E. married William T. Combs, a farmer of Avon Township, by whom she had three children; and Mary E. died at the age of eleven months. Mr. and Mrs. Seeber continued to make the farm their home until 1876, when they removed to Waukegan, where they have since resided. Politically he was a Whig in early life, though be cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson, and since the organization of the Republican party has affiliated with it. He has been a hard-working man, fair and honorable in all his dealings and well deserves the success which has crowned his efforts. His residence in Lake County, covers a period of fifty-four years, therefore he has been an eyewitness of the greater part of its growth and progress, its development and upbuilding. He is a public-spirited man and any enterprise or movement calculated to benefit the community or promote the general welfare has received his hearty support and co-operation. By those who know him he is highly esteemed.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Saturday, March 6, 1897, page 6:

“Abram I. Seeber.

   Waukegan, Ill., March 5 – [Special.] – Abram I. Seeber died here today, aged 82.  He came to this country in 1837 and for nearly forty years lived on a farm at Wauconda.  He leaves an aged widow and two daughters, Mrs. George H. Burnett of this city and Mrs. William Combs of Fort Hill.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Wednesday, March 10, 1897, page 5:

“ABRAHAM I. SEEBER died at his home in the city of Waukegan, on Friday morning last, March 5th, age 82 years.  He was a brother of Garret Seeber who formerly resided in this village.  He had been a resident of Lake county since 1837.  He leaves a widow and two daughters, Mrs. Wm. Combs, of Fort Hill, and Mrs. Geor. Burnett, of Waukegan.  The funeral service were held at his late home Sunday morning, Rev. Toll officiating.  Interment in the family lot at the cemetery near Fort Hill.”

According to the Lake County Independent (Libertyville IL) Friday, March 24, 1911, page 7:

   “Estate of A. I. Seeber, deceased, to Henry & H. E. Maiman, 38 acres in northeast quarter section 25, Wauconda township, W. D. $1.”