Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1917-05-11
PROF, SEELY DIES IN S9TH YEAR
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for graduate study, devotlng his time
between the universities of Freiburg
and Heidelberg, He was two years in
Germany and among his instructors was
the celebrated Baron Bunsen. On his
return to America he became professor
of chemistry in the medical department
of the University Of Vermont, In 1861
he was called to Middlebwy as profes-
sor of chemistry and natural history,
and occupied this chair for 81 years,
From 1899 to 1896 he was professor of
natural history and since 1896 he has
been professor-emeritus.
For three years, lS75-'7S he was sec
rotary Of the Vermont Board of Agri-
culture and edited the state agricultural
reports, preparing also much of the
material, Professor Seely held strong
views on the temperance question and
was twice candidate of the prohibition
party for Governor of Vermont. Dur
ing the later years Of his active life he
gave special attention to geology and in
cooperation with President Brainerd
made valuable contributions to the
geology Of the Champlain valley, He
was member Of the American Chemical
Society, the Geological Society Of
America, the Vermont Botanical club,
and other scientific organizations.
Professor Seely had been in failing
health for number Of years and for
several months had not left his room.
His mind continued active and until
within few weeks he followed the
scientific papers with interest.
During his teaching years Professor
Seely occupied unique place among
the instructors of Middlehury College
He was a man of the highest character
and also Of gentle and gracious ways
A generous kindness characterized all
his relations with his students and he
unfailingly won their highest respect
for his sincere devotion to the best
things in life. No one could ever doubt
that Professor Seely was actuated by
Christian motives and that he sought in
all his conduct to carry out the spirit of
the Christian faith. There was an in
defnable gentleness and kindness in
his manner which made his students re-
member him for many years with con-
stantly increasing affection and loyalty.
For many years he taught not only
chemistry but also botany, zoology and
geology. Despite the limited laboratory
facilities and scarcity of equipment, he
initiated all his students into laboratory
processes and gave them an insight
into scientific method. For over twenty
years every student in the college had
atleast one appointment with Professor
Seely every day during his Junior and
Senior years. 1t fell to his lot to serve
the College in trying days, but he never
lost his hope or his confidence.
At last Sundays chapel services
President Thomas referred briefly to
the character Of Professor Seely in
sermon from the text BLESSED are the
meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "
The funeral services were held Monday
afternoon in the Methodist church, con-
Quoted by Rev. Dr. d. H. Corkron, as
sisted by Rev. George M. Moody.
Interment was at lakewood cemetery,
Syracuse, N. Y, on Wednesday.
Besides Mrs. Seely, Professor Seely
is survived by four children, Mrs. John
w. Chapman, Mrs. John M. Thomas
81, DR.. Henry H. Seely "a, Lockwood
M. Seely '95. There are nine living
grandchildren, of whom four have been
or are now Middlebury students.