James Lyman Seaver

Born in Chebause, IL, but moved to Darian, WI in about Sept. 1876, which he was 18 mos. old.

Father died when he was 8 years old and James was sent to Chicago and given a home with his elder brother C.H. Seaver.

At age 10, was made a Messinger Boy for Western Union. His brother, C.H. was appointed Supt. Telegraph on Chicago & Alton Road with headquarters in Bloomington, IL.

James attended school in Bloomington for about 4 years until the family again took up residence in Chicago when C.H. was promoted to Asst. Gen. Superintendent. Later James worked at telegraph repairing on the Alton system, leaving that service on the death of his brother in 1875.

In 1878, James moved west to CA & entered the train service of Central Pacific Railroad at Truelles, CA.

One year later he returned to Illinois to work again for the Alton Company in Jacksonvile, IL.

Six months later he returned west, this time to Washington & homesteaded a quarter section in Whitman County near Steptoe Butte.

He lived there & in Oakdale until 1892 when he moved to Sprague, WA and was employed by the Northern Pacific Rialroad as a Yard Switchman.

On March 10, 1901 he "was taken seriously ill with brain trouble" and died the following Wed. morning.