The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-17
ROMAN I &c CAREER
ENDS IN .P00RH0UsE
Jacob seeman, Gifted Writer,
Musician and Composer, Falls
Upon Evil Days.
sneoial to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Madison, Wis, June 16.-A man who
in his day edited newspapers in both
the Norwegian and German languages
and wrote poems in three tongues, WIG
was companion and confdant of
Biornstierne Biornson, a musician and
composer to whom the great Ole Bull
was pleased to listen, has gone to spend
his last days in the Dane county poor
house. .-e-
This unusual man, for such he is, is
Jacob seeman, better . known nov las as
prominent lawyers of Madison. His
life story is romantic one and because
of his prominent, family connections the
fate that has overcome him is the cause
Of much gossip here: &&t.s 7.
His father was German, who three
quarters of a%5century ago moved to
Norway and made a fortune there by
introducing German windnills, being
the first to build one in that country.
Biornson was a frequent visitor to-
the Seeman home and became engaged
to the daughter of the household. She
was a brilliant pianist who had studied
in Denmark and Germany and was
otherwise gifted. For three years the
young people were engaged; and during
that time Bjornson spent his vacations
at the Seeman home and the young; men
wrote and dreamed dreams together Of
future fame.
Breaks with Bjornson.
But Bjornson and Miss Seeman never
married The young lady found her
gifted fancee impossible. =; His fiery
and erratic disposition, his love Of
fighting and the many scraps Into
which it led him caused her to break off
the engagement and marry soldier,
but a more peaceful one, nevertheless,
wife OF an army surgeon.
Disaster came upon the Seeman home.
The father lost his property and the
young man, like many another Of spirit
whom adversely had overtaken resolve
to come to the land of greater oppor-
tunities-America. Landing at New
York he started west, but at Buffalo
was seized with cholera, then raging in
disease, besides having all his effects
stolen, including a cherished violin.se4
Becomes Editor and Lawyer. p
Coming on to Port Washington, Wis,
he obtained employment as a copyist
in the county clerk s office Then he
became the editor of :. Norwegian
paper there and was commissioned to
translate the first volume Of the Wis
COuSlu historical COlleCtlOIS- INTO NOR
wegian. Then he held a position in
the state land office from 1856, till
1860. when he established a German
newspaper at Madison, known as the
Star. This was followed by. a Nor
wegian newspaper of which he also was
editor. -:
In the meantime he dealt in real
estate and studied law, being admitted
to the bar. From 1888 to 1886 he
practiced law in Minneapolis, when he
returned to Madison, which has since
been his home. He was also for many
years a justice. of the peace and be.
cause he was frequently called in by
other judges to sit in their absence, be:
came known himself as Fjudge.' -. -
Victim Of Poverty.
Retiring from practice some ten years
in want. OF a proud and eccentric
Disposition he refused to make his
home with relatives and became E
, familiar character about the cheaper
restaurant and hotels where he lived
Recently it became necessary to take
him to the poorhouse.
During the period that Ole Bull
lived at Madison Seeman was one Of
the choice spirits of the Norwegian
aristccracy that the great yiolinis
loved to associate with. He was; aaa
excellent violinist h!mselfaand IA 5supe
rior musical critic. He also contribute
to many publications, and poems il
three languages have appeared over hi
name.