Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 230-231; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
George Washington Seaton. Even a cursory view of the
business establishments of Canton will reveal the fact that they are in
charge of men of tact, push and good judgment. In the goods upon
their shelves, the order which characterizes them, and the honorable,
courteous way in which patrons are treated, they vie with those of much
larger cities. One of these flourishing establishments is the
grocery store of our subject, who carries a large and well-selected
stock, and occupies a favorable location on the east side of the square.
The grandfather of our subject, John Seaton, was a native of
Germany, whose home after emigration was in Tennessee. There
James Seaton, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He
removed to Indiana about 1817, there marrying Winifred Roberts.
This lady was a native of Kentucky, but in her girlhood had accompanied
her father, Thomas Roberts, to the Hoosier State. James Seaton
was engaged in tilling the soil, and made the Hoosier State his home
during all of his later years. His widow died on the same place
in 1882, full of years and honors. She was the mother of four
sons and two daughters, one son and one daughter being now deceased.
The birth of our subject took place in Crawford County, Ind.,
near Leavenworth, May 9, 1833. His early boyhood was spent in
attendance at the common schools near his home, and he subsequently
continued his studies in a private school in Kentucky, having relatives
there with whom he could make his home. When about eighteen years
old he began his mercantile experience as a clerk in the dry goods
store of H. F, & J. W. Ingersoll, in Canton, remaining in the
establishment five years. He then formed a partnership with R. B.
Underwood, and under the firm name of Seaton & Underwood embarked
in the dry-good business. The connection continued until 1862
when the business was disposed of, and Mr. Seaton became a partner with
A. C. Babcock, the new firm doing an extensive business during the war,
and continuing some years longer, when they were swept out by fire,
sustaining a heavy loss. The firm was dissolved by mutual
consent, and Mr. Seaton connected himself with W. B, Gleason & Co.,
in the dry-goods business. He remained an attaché of that
firm until 1885 when he opened a grocery store on the south side of the
square. January 1, 1890, he removed to his present site with
increased facilities to accommodate his growing trade.
Mr. Seaton was fortunate in his choice of a life companion,
winning Miss Louisa Culton, daughter of Robert Culton of this
city. The marriage rites were celebrated at the home of the bride
in 1858, and the congenial union has been blessed by the birth of six
children. They are named respectively, William P., Anna, Charles
A., Kate, Frederick and George Washington. Anna is the wife of
Fred Patee, of Peoria; Kate married W. E. Gill, of Canton; the eldest
son and Charles are traveling salesmen and Frederick is a clerk in a
dry goods store. The youngest son is still attending
school. Mrs. Seaton died in 1879, and our subject was again
married September 6, 1890, to Miss M. V. Downing, of Cantons.
Mr. Seaton was the first cigar inspector of Canton, and acted in
that capacity two years. He has served as Alderman from the First
Ward five terms, and is still discharging the duties of that position,
working faithfully to advance the interest of his constituents and the
city at large. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 734, F.
& A. M. He belongs to the Republican party, and is steadfast
in the support of the principles in which he firmly believes.
