Abraham Jefferson Seay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abraham Jefferson Seay
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 2nd Governor of Oklahoma Territory | |
| In office February 1, 1892 – May 7, 1893 |
|
| Appointed by | Benjamin Harrison |
| Preceded by | Robert Martin as Acting Territorial Governor |
| Succeeded by | William Cary Renfrow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 28, 1832 Amherst County, Virginia |
| Died | December 12, 1915 Long Beach, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | never married |
| Profession | Soldier, Lawyer, Judge, banker |
Abraham Jefferson Seay (born November 28, 1832 – died December 12, 1915) was an American lawyer, soldier, and judge. He also became a politician. Seay reached the rank of colonel in the Union army during the American Civil War. Later, he served as a judge on the Oklahoma Territory's highest court. He then became the second Governor of the Oklahoma Territory.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Abraham Jefferson Seay was born in Amherst County, Virginia, on November 28, 1832. His family moved to Osage County, Missouri, when he was three. His father started a farm there.
When Seay was 21, he worked on building the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He used the money he earned to pay for his education. In 1855, he went to Steelville Academy. He had to leave early when his father passed away. Seay returned home to help his mother with the farm and his ten younger siblings. He also spent time teaching at a public school.
Seay became very interested in law. He studied law on his own for several years. In 1860, he moved to Cherryville, Missouri, and joined a law office. By April 1861, at age 29, he became a lawyer in Missouri.
Joining the Civil War
Soon after Seay became a lawyer, the American Civil War began. He immediately joined the Union army as a volunteer. He helped recruit 200 men for the 32nd Missouri Volunteer Infantry. Seay was a brave soldier and earned several promotions. He rose from a private to a captain, then a major, and finally a lieutenant colonel.
Seay fought in many important battles. These included the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, the Battle of Vicksburg, and the Battle of Chattanooga. He also fought in the Battle of Atlanta and Battle of Savannah. When the war ended, Seay was a colonel of his regiment.
After the War: Law and Banking
After the Civil War, Seay continued his law career. The Governor of Missouri appointed him as the county attorney for Crawford County. Later, he became a circuit attorney. He retired from government work in 1870.
Seay then worked as a private lawyer until 1875. That year, he was elected as a circuit judge in Missouri. He served two six-year terms as a judge.
After being a judge, Seay returned to private law. He also started a new career in banking. He helped create a bank in Union, Missouri, and became its president. He also became president of the First National Bank of Rolla, Missouri.
Oklahoma Territory Governor
In 1889, the Oklahoma Territory was opened for new settlers. The United States Congress passed a law to create a government for the territory. President Benjamin Harrison appointed George Washington Steele as the first governor. President Harrison also chose Seay to be a judge on the territory's highest court. Seay served as an Associate Justice for the Third Judicial District.
Becoming Governor
Judge Seay served on the Supreme Court during Governor Steele's time in office. In October 1891, Governor Steele resigned. Robert Martin became the acting governor. Seay wanted to be the next governor. Three months later, President Harrison officially appointed him.
On February 1, 1892, Justice Seay left his judge position. He was sworn in as the second Governor of Oklahoma Territory in Guthrie.
Governor Seay's Achievements
Governor Seay was in office for only 16 months. People remember him as a very good and effective governor. During his time, he oversaw the opening of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Reserve for settlement in April 1892. This was a big event where people could claim land.
He also created six new counties in the territory. He chose where the county seats would be and appointed officials for them. Governor Seay strongly supported education. He introduced a tax on liquor to help pay for schools. He also pushed for laws that made school attendance required for children.
Governor Seay convinced the legislature to spend money on an Oklahoma exhibit for the 1893 World's Fair. This exhibit showed off the territory's farming and business potential. It was so successful that Oklahoma continued to have exhibits at World's Fairs even after it became a state.
Seay's time as governor ended when Grover Cleveland became president. President Cleveland appointed William Cary Renfrow as the new governor on May 7, 1893.
Later Life
After his time as governor, Seay made his home in Kingfisher. He built a large mansion there in 1892. He lived there with different members of his family. He continued his work in banking, organizing the Central State Bank of Kingfisher in 1899. This bank later became the First National Bank of Kingfisher.
Seay was an active member of the Episcopal Church and the Freemasons. In the early 1900s, he fell and broke his hip. As he got older, the injury worsened, and he needed a wheelchair. Doctors suggested he move to a warmer climate.
In 1909, Seay bought a home in Long Beach, California. He lived there for the rest of his life. Abraham Jefferson Seay passed away on December 12, 1915. His body was brought back to Oklahoma and buried in the cemetery at Kingfisher. His grave is next to his sister's. His funeral was held at the Masonic Temple in Guthrie. Governor of Oklahoma Robert L. Williams and his staff attended the funeral.
