ALBERT P. SEATON
Albert P. Seaton is the youngest child of John and Alice (Hopkinson) Seaton and was born in Utica, N. Y., October 1, 1844. John Seaton was born in Yorkshire, England, March 17, 1809, and served a
seven years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade in Leeds. He was married in Hull to Miss Alice Hopkinson and in 1832 came to AmericA, locating first in Quebec, Canada. In 1833 he settled in
Utica, where he very soon entered the employ of Z. & P. Lyon, merchant tailors, with whom he remained eighteen years. In the spring of 1850 he removed to the town of New Hartford and engaged in
farming on East Hill, about one and one-half miles east of the village. Here he spent the remainder of his active life, and here his wife died in October, 1878, at the age of sixty-eight. In the
spring of 1879 he removed to the village of New Hartford, where his death occurred in June, 1885. Mr. Seaton was a man of sterling character, a strong Whig and later an ardent Republican, and a
prominent member of St. Stephen's Episcopal church, which he served for many years as vestryman. He was especially active in church work, and always took a keen interest in the welfare of the entire
community. He had six children: Sarah and Maria (twins), who died in infancy; Sarah, 2d, who married Edward B. Stevens and resides in Utica; Anna Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Rigney, both deceased;
and John W. and Albert P. of New Hartford.
Albert P. Seaton removed with his parents to New Hartford in 1850, when he was six years old, and here in the common schools he received his education. Inheriting the sturdy characteristics of his parents he made the best of his limited means and advantages while a youth, and on the farm gained a rugged constitution, which has carried him through a most successful career. In 1861 he began learning the machinist's trade in the Remington gun factory at Ilion, N. Y., where he remained until 1865, becoming in the mean time a sub-contractor. His skill as a machinist had now attracted the attention of his associates and he was invited to go to the Oneida Community and accept a position in the establishment which had started for the purpose of manufacturing machinery for the new silk factory there. He continued in this capacity about two years, when he returned to Ilion, and became a contractor in the Remington works. In the spring of 1870 he returned to the parental farm in New Hartford, where he has since been engaged in farming and in the milk business. In the spring of 1879, his mother having died, he removed with his father to the village, where he now lives, occupying a valuable farm lying partly within the corporate limits.
Mr. Seaton has been an active and influential Republican for many years, and has frequently been called by his party to positions of trust and honor. In 1881 he was elected highway commissioner and served one term. He was president of the village of New Hartford for five years between 1882 and 1888, and for about seven years served efficiently as a member of the Board of Education, being its president from August, 1890, until the spring of 1891, when he resigned to accept the office of supervisor of the town. He was supervisor from March. 1891, until March, 1896, or for five successive years, and was chairman of the board in 1894 and 1895. In all these positions Mr. Seaton officiated with ability and great credit. He has been very active in political affairs, and has frequently been a delegate to county, district, and State conventions. In all public matters and in the general welfare of the community he takes an active interest, and liberally encourages every movement worthy of a loyal citizen's support. He was one of the organizers and treasurer of the New Hartford Leather Company during its existence, and for several years served as vestryman of St. Stephen's church.
On September 6, 1875, Mr. Seaton was married to Miss Jennie E., daughter of Franklin F. and Caroline Brooks, of Utica. She died February 8, 1895, at the age of forty-two, leaving six children: Alice E., John F., Carrie M., Albert P., jr., Jennie E., and Franklin F.
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