The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-27
Death OF JUDGE SEELY|
Expired at His Home in Honesdale
After an Illness of Several Months.
HONORABLE CAREER AT AN END
For Twelve Years Deceased Served with
Distinction as Resident Judge of the
Wayne. Pike Judicial District-Fu.
neral Will Take Place Friday.

Ex-Judge Henry NJ. Seely died at his
home in Honesdale Wednesday night of
Brights disease, from which he had
suffered for some time. Mr.. Seely was
a member of the Lackawanna county
bar and the Bar association will meet
at II o'clock this morning in the law
library Of the court house to take action
on his death.
Henry NJ. Seely was born in Seely-
vile, a suburb of Honesdale, on Sept.
Is, 1896. His parents were Colonel
Richard L. and Maria Seely. He was
prepared for college in the schools at
Honesdale and then entered Yale, from
which college he was graduated in 1851,
EX-Justice Alfred Hand, of this city,
who was from boyhood one of Judge
Seely's closest friends, was member
of the same.class. Other distinguished
members of it were Professor Moses
Tyler, of Cornell university, and Pro-
fessor Blake, of Brown university.
For time young Seely read law at
Honesdale under the direction of L. NJ.
Crane, but in 1858 he entered the Albany
Law school, going from that institu
tlon to New York city, where he COM
pleted his studies.
Admitted TO the Bar.
In May 1859, he was admitted to prac-
tice in New York and at once entered
upon the duties of his profession. In
September of the same year he paid a
visit to Honesdale and was admitted to
practice in the Wayne county courts
but returned ito New York and con-
ttnued his practice there until the death
of his father several years later. Col
onel Seely was one of the most respect
cd residents of Wayne county, and for
q number Of years was president of the
Honesdale bank.
On his demise his son settled per-
manently in Honesdale and entered
earnestly on the practice Of his profess
sion, He forged quickly to the front
and was soon looked upon as the leader
of the Wayne bar. In 1882 Charles p.
Waller president judge of the Twenty
second judicial district, which includes
Wayne and Pike counties, died, and
Mr.. Seely was at once pointed to as the
most worthy person to succeed him.
He was appointed by Governor Hoyt to
serve until January, 1884.
In 1888 the Republicans of the judi
cial district rendered the nomination
for judge to Mr.. Seely by unanimous
consent, and George S. Purdy was
named by the Democrats of Wayne
as their candidate. Pike county Dem
ocrats refused to endorse the nomina-
ton of Mr. Purdy, and named d. NJ.
Van Auken.
Elected TO the Office Of Judge.
The result was that in the election
| which followed the divided Democrats
were defeated, Judge Seely being elect
| ed by q handsome plurality. He served
until Jan. 1, 1894, when his term ex-
| pired. In the fall Of 1893 he was nomin-
ated for reelection by the Republicans
and Mr.. Purdy was nominated by the
Democrats of the entire district, the
honor going to him with practically the
same unanimity displayed by the Re-
publicans in selecting Judge Seely as
their standard bearer.
The latter held q conference with his
friends and on their advice decided not
to again make a canvass for the high
office he had for almost twelve years
filled 50 acceptably and his old oppo
nent was elected without opposition
Judge Purdy, who Is holding court IL
this city this week, went on the bench
last January. His relations with Judge
Seely were always of a most friendly
character. He recognized in the mar
who defeated him, thorough gentle
man of great ability, nobleness Of char
acter, and singleness of purpose.
After retiring from the bench Judg,
Seely came to this city and opened {
law Office with the intention of ulti
mately making this city his hme.
Stricken by the Disease.
In September, 1893, Judge Seely's ply
sicians became alarmed at Indication
that Bright's diease had obtained
hold on his system and after coming t,
this city the disease seemed to progress
Last May he went to Philadelphia t
consult specialist, from whom h
learned that his case was a serious one
He had intended embarlSing in the prac
4,
term of court, having several cases OF
the list. On the advice of his physician
he decided not to go into court, but in
stead went to his home in Honesdale
When he left this city he put his af
fairs in charge of eX-Justice Hand
During the summer Judge Seeley spen
most OF his time at Upper Woods clul
1. Mt tt,,t,
grow worse until Saturday when it be
came evident that his death was only
matter of few days at most.
When young man Judge Seely mar
rted Miss Kate Tracey, of Honesdalt
an associate of his childhood, an
daughter of Hon. 4. H. r. Tracey, on
Of Honesdale's honored citizens. Tw
children were horn to them, both q
whom died. Mrs Seely followed ther
} to the grave few years ago.
characteristics of the Man.
AS a lawyer Judge Seely was dis
tinguished for his accuracy in tn
preparation and trial of his cases. II
had thorough and comprehensiv
grasp of all the principles that underlI
| the many complicated questions that
lawyer has to deal with. AS judge h
, was impartial, clear, decisive an
trenchant. He was patient to hear an
thoroughly digest facts and the law
the case and gave his decisions withol
fear or favor With the members {
the bar who practlced before him /
was popular and respected, for all ha
their interests protected.
AS man Judge Seely was patriot
and strongln upholding the true foundi
tons OF society. He was a thoroug
Christian and a member and a rulir
$ elder of the Honesdale Presbyteria
church. After his decision to open q
Office In Scranton me retained his men
bership in the Honesdale church al
u went to the Maple City weekly al
kept up his Bible class and Sabbat
J. school, both of which ne had conductt
with marked ability and success Il
q many years. BY his death the pla
Of his birth has lost an honored al
valued man. He had the love and r