Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-16
JOHN A. SEATON.
Correspondence Alexandria Gazette

RoUTTs, Fauquier Co., Mar. IA
John Andrew SeatoD, one of the mos
prominent colored men of Virginia ant
New York, is critically i'll at his farm
residence, near this place. DR.. Camp
bell, his attending physician, state
that his patient has slight chance o
recovery, that the present mild wealth
or is favorable, but, with colder wealth
er, he fears serious results His pa
tent is Frustrated in bed and only il
kept alive by nourishiog diet.
The once giant frame of John A
Seaton has wasted away to mere
skeleton and he lies patiently with q
full assurance of saving grace, ready tc
meet his God, when he is summoned.
John A. Seaton was born in the city
of Alexandria, 18th of November, g.
years ago. He was reared in the
neighborhood of Washington and
Franklin streets, then known as "Sea
tonville."
He learned the carpenters trade I'M
der his late brother, the well-knowr
George l.. Seaton.
At the outbreak of the war he enlisted il
the Gusrteimlster's department at Alexan
dria aud later in the ColOred union trool
that were organized for the protection Of
Alexandria and Washington. He was will
the federals at City Point and became enc
of the recognized Leaders of the colored people
of Virginia n the close of the war.
When the lste Hon. John +. Lewis entered
the U 8. Senate from Virginia he secured the
appointment of John 4. Seaton in the Treas.
ury Department, and then later on the police
70 CO of the U. S. Capitol.
The giant form of John soaton, who was
symmetlically built from head to foot, stsnd.
ing feet inches, weighing 275 pounds
dressed in the uniform OF U. S officer WAS
ore of the central figures of observance to the
hundreds who visited the U. S. Senate VIM
and rotunds which he daily guarded While
serving in the later position he WAS elected
Alderman from he Fo nth ward in the Alex
andiia City Council. being the first colored
man in the State to be so honored He served
with credit and held the esteem and conf
dencc of the community. He was chosen the
chairman of the republican party and received
the republican nonina:ion for Congress from
the Sth district, but declined the honor. at
that time Alderman Seaton led the cOlored
people. Colored men were awarded places OF
honor and trust in party ciIcles and they Sc
cured federal appointments.
at the death of Charles Sumner, Alderman
Seaton was detailed by the Senate officials as
one of the guard of honor to accompany his
remains from Washington to B)ston.
Upon his return to Washington he was of.
'ered, and accepted, q position as police
guard of the big Equitable Assurance Com
pany, of New York city. Such was the eror-
nous size and splendid physique of Seston
when he entered the big building at 100
Broadway that the attracted the at ention Of
the reporters of The big metropolitan dailies
and each paper contained portraits and pen
sketches of the biggest and tallest man in the
big city of New York. Seaton, coming ftom
the old stock of Virginia coo red people ana
with retiring and affablc manners that dis.
tinguish the old time coored people, soon
made friends in New York and served with
credit in the employ of the big Equitable
Company for over twenty-five years. Two
years ago his health began to fail and he had
/, be relieved from his duties in the FquitA-
bic and come south.
He is member Of Universal Lodge, No l.
a. F. & A. NJ, of Alexandra, Va Lieutenant
Commader of Fletcher Consistory, Scottish
Rite Masonry, and Noble of Magnus Tenn
pie, OF the mystic Shrine. of Alexandria, Va
He is member of Mount Oliyet Baptist
Church, New York city. XXX.