The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-12-19
DEATH OF Mr.. SELLERS.
Took Prominent Part in State At
fairs in Wisconsin's Early Days.
PASSING OF A PIONEER,
Taught at Carroll Co11ege-His Work
During the War-A Staunch
Republican.

Green Bay, Wis, Dec. Special. I
Malcolm Sellers, one Of the oldest resi-
dents of Green Bay and well-known
throughout Wisconsin, died at his home
in this city yesterday afternoon of gen
eral decline, aged 81. He was born in
Guyoboro, Nova Scotia At the age of
Il be engaged in teaching, following the
profession for number of years. AT
terward he was catechist and lay read
err and teacher and missionary in Prince
Edward Island under the Colonial
Church society of London. In 1914 he
was married to Miss Isabella Archibald
daughter of Charles and Margaret Archi-
bald of Nova Scotia. In 1847 he came to
the United States and shortly after settled
at Beaver Dam, Wis, where he engaged
in the manufacture of mill products and
operated mercantile establishment in
connection. He was nominated by the
Wings for the state Assembly in 1S49
and was elected over four opponents.
In 1852 Mr.. Sellers took charge of a
primary class at Carroll college, Wau-
kesha. Among his pupils was Sidney A.
Bean. who afterWard became colonel Of
the Fourth Wisconsin cavalry. His broth
ers, Walker and Irving NJ. Bean, who were
also gallant soldiers, were pupils of Mr.
Sellers, as were Lewis A. Proctor of Mil
waukee, George w, Burchard of Fort
Atkinson, distinguished in the annals of
Wisconsin,, and Cushman X. Davis, the
late senator from Minnesota. Upon the
close of his service at the college Mr..
Sellers became agent for the Milwaukee
& Prairie du Chen railroad on the route
from Milwaukee to Waukesha and was
one of the first in the state to fill such
a position. In his anxiety to please he
over-exerted himself and was attacked
with hemorrhage of the lungs. When
once more able to transact business ne
established a general store at Waukesha
and bought wool in the interest of man
ufacturers, becoming one of the heaviest
dealers in that commodity in Wisconsin.
Mr.. Sellers was one of the founders Of
the Republican party. For more than
half century he was declared advo-
cate of temperance. He was also promi-
nent in church work and held commits
sions from the American Bible society,
the American Sunday School union and
other evangelical organizations.
When the Civil war opened Mr.. Sellers,
who was then at Madison, serving as
clerk of the judiciary, committee, was one
of the first to offer his services to Gov.
Randall. The latter said: Malcolm,
you could not live month in the serv-
ice You are not fit for service, but stay
at home and doewhat you can and l will
give you any position you ask in the
state" Under this arrangement Mr.
Sellers was assigned to the Quartermas-
terS department. with headquarters at
Madison, and later was transferred to
the commissary department Upon the
call for additional troops he went to
Waukesha and neighboring counties to
recruit soldiers, spending a year in the
service at his own expense. In 1869 he
moved from Waukesha to Fort Howard
and was engaged at different times in
numbering and mercantile enter
prises His active business practically
ceased in 1874. For a number of years
he was a notary public and justice Of
the peace and during that time he assist
ed many old soldiers to secure pensions.
The golden wedding of Mr.. and Mrs.
Sellers was celebrated in 1894.