David Randolph Seely

Biographical Summary:

He was born in Canada, farming till he became 18, making occaisional trips with his father, the owner of three sailing vessels. Leaving arrived in Iowa on the Mississippi River, he built two 100-ton barges. These were used in transfering frieght across the rapids for river steamers. He was the pilot for 3 years.

In July of 1846 he started for California and wintered at Council Bluffs. Joining a large party of Mormons he he started for Salt Lake City the next spring arriving in September.

He remained till November 1849, when he joined Pomercy's train via the southern route to the gold fields of California. On the way their company picked up nine survivors from an ill-fated Death Valley party who were bare footed and near starvation. Mr.Seely rached San Bernardino in 1850,mining for a while, he then went to San Francisco. He was appointed Captain of 50 wagons of mormon pioneers coming to San Bernardino.

After going to Los Angeles and then San Francisco he returned to Salt Lake City, after wintering there he led a train of fifty wagons to Southern California, another 50 wagons were led by Charles rich, Amasa Lyman and Andrew Lytle under the direction of Jefferson Hunt.

He and his brother James Wellington Seely established a mill in the San Bernardino mountains.He was the first Stake president of the Mormon Church in the colony. Served on a state-appointed commission with Brown to establish San Bernardino County. He had married Mary Pettit and they had 10 children..."

SOURCE: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=21578218