• Katherine M. Olsen, President
• Paul Taylor, 1st Vice President & Publications Editor
• Jesse S. Crisler, 2nd Vice President
• Camille Seeley Bell, Secretary
• Sally Seeley, Treasurer
• Linda L Crocker, Chief Genealogist
• Terry Tietjens, Director
• Wesley Waring, Director
• Ruthetta Seelye Hansen, Director & Historian
• James R. Seeley, Past President
• Marie Seelye, Membership Chair
• Margaret Petersen, Assistant Membership Chair
• Dian Little, Assistant Genealogist – Obadiah
• Pauline Cilley Gamer, Assistant Genealogist – Other Lines
• Chris Havnar, Assistant Genealogist – Robert/Nathaniel, Webmaster & SGS Ancestor File Co-Chair
• Linda L Crocker, Query Editor/SGS Ancestor File Co-Chair
• George Seeley, Parliamentarian
• Terry Tietjens, Seelye Research Center
• Pamela D. Turner, Librarian, Seelye Research Center
• Bob Seeley, SGS CD-ROM Project Director
• Walt Seelye, DNA Lineage Project Manager

When you call the Abilene, Kan., Convention and Visitors Bureau, they always answer by saying, “It’s a great day in Abilene!” And so it was–several great days in Abilene! It was good to be there.

The Seeley Genealogical Society gathered for its biennial meeting in Abilene from Sunday, July 26, 2015, to Wednesday, July 29, 2015. The theme was “Our Golden Anniversary, 1965 -2015.” There were sixty-nine people registered from fifteen states.

On Sunday, July 26, 2015, the SGS Executive Board, including both elected and appointed officers, met at 6:00 pm. A draft of the minutes of this meeting is in this Newsletter. We excused Chris Havnar and Bob Seeley who were unable to attend. The Board members were commended for their commitment to SGS. Various officers gave reports concerning their assignments. Several issues of importance were discussed. The Board voted to recommend that the 2017 reunion be held in Marietta, Ohio/Parkersburg, West Virginia in the Mid-Ohio Valley of the Ohio River.

Board members decided to dedicate the Reunion Souvenir Book to Marshall Seelye and his wife, Evelyn for their many years of leadership and service to SGS. He has continued in his activity even after her passing. We all miss Evelyn very much.

Monday, July 27, 2015, began early at the Seelye Mansion. Terry Tietjens had prepared his fabulous, sweet rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee for all to enjoy. We gathered on the patio and welcomed each other as we arrived. Registration took place under the portico of the Mansion. Reunion tee shirts were for sale. (There are some left, so get in touch with Terry if you would like to purchase one. They are $12.00 for all sizes, except XXL, which are $14.00. Terry’s address is on page 15.) Everyone was encouraged to purchase raffle tickets. Toots Brundage, a member of SGS, had donated a beautiful handmade quilt in the Dresden plate pattern in shades of green. Raffle tickets were also sold for two porcelain dolls, which had been given to the Seelye Mansion Foundation to be used to raise money for SGS or the Seelye Mansion.

At 9:30 we gathered in front of the Seelye Research Center to dedicate a tree, which had been planted to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of SGS. Each participant placed a handful of chips at the base of the tree as a way to encourage the growth of both the tree and SGS. Pam Turner, SRC Librarian, then cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Seelye Research Center and Hospitality Area, which remained open throughout the Reunion for use by attendees for side meetings and visiting. Additionally, attendees were encouraged to bring any research, Seeley artifacts, or family history items they wanted to share with other attendees. These items were then displayed in the SRC.

From 10:00 am until 4:30 pm, registrants could choose to participate in many different activities: tours of the Seelye Mansion and Seelye Research Center and Hospitality Area, a shuttle to the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Carousel and the Eisenhower Center, or a tour of Abilene, including the Russell Stover chocolate factory on a historic trolley. A wonderful, boxed lunch was served on the front porch of the Seelye Mansion.

At 5:00 pm, Terry and his staff served a delicious meal at the Hitching Post Restaurant. Lou Ann Crisler introduced the Reunion theme song, “Seeleys on the Range,” set to the tune of “Home on the Range,” the Kansas state song; the words reminded us of our heritage and the legacy which our ancestors left for us. Terry provided a rousing accompaniment. After dinner, we boarded the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad for a trip back in time, viewing the Kansas landscape that supports many species of native Kansas wildlife and beautiful fields of modern Kansas agriculture. A gorgeous sunset ended this memorable day.

Bright and early on Tuesday morning, July 28, 2015, we convened at the Abilene Convention Center for the opening session of our conference. After a welcome and announcements, Michael Hook, President of the Seelye Mansion Foundation Board and a local historian then gave a PowerPoint presentation on the history of Abilene, Dickinson County, and Kansas.

Debra Seely, an author of young adult fiction about the history of Kansas, spoke to us. We were happy to have both her and her husband, Dave, spend the day with us. She has published two books, Grasslands and The Last of the Roundup Boys, for readers ages ten to fourteen, both set in the 1880s near her favorite place in the world, her grandparents’ farm on the Kansas prairie. Glenn Cox and Bill Craven, two SGS members, quickly read both books and hope that she will write a third one soon. Debra graciously autographed copies of the books purchased by Society members.

After another boxed lunch, we reconvened for the afternoon session. Michael introduced us to the history of the A. B. Seelye family, and Ruthetta Seelye Hansen shared her family story. Kathie Olsen gave some information on her great-grandfather, John Henry Seely, a Utah state legislator and livestock breeder. Linda Crocker explained her research on other Seeleys who settled in Kansas; she also shared a Website that examined Seeley surnames of all spellings. It was interesting to note where in the world and the United States these surnames are more prevalent. Several other SGS members, including Mark Seely, LeAnne Seely, and Jesse Crisler, told brief impromptu stories about their ancestors.

In the evening, we enjoyed a buffet dinner catered by Abilene’s own Brookville Hotel, featuring fried chicken, soul food of the Midwest. Second Vice President Jesse Crisler gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining the growth and development of SGS by reviewing the lives of its eight presidents, its sixteen reunions in eleven different places, and major accomplishments of SGS over the fifty years since its founding by the Reverend Garner Osborn. Jesse then read Esther Walter’s responses to email interview questions submitted to her prior to the Reunion.

The membership meeting convened at the Abilene Civic Center on Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at 9:15 a.m. A draft of the minutes of this meeting will be in the November newsletter as well as the souvenir book. We started with announcements and the theme song, then SGS officers were recognized and thanked for their service, the minutes of the last membership meeting were read and approved, the auditing committee reported, and SGS Treasurer Sally Seeley presented the treasurer’s report, which was approved. Many accomplishments of SGS from 2013 to 2015 were noted in a “State of the Society” address; these are listed in the President’s report in this issue of the Newsletter.

Paul Taylor then led a discussion on SGS publications. The August Newsletter will be the last to be printed and mailed to all members. The Newsletter will be redesigned for the November issue. It will be in color for those receiving it by email. The printed copy for those who have prepaid will be in black and white. Orders are now being taken for the 2015 Reunion Souvenir Book; if you have not already ordered one, you still can for $35.00. The book will be dedicated to Marshall and Evelyn Seelye in recognition of their many years of leadership and service to SGS. Paul also mentioned the society’s Facebook page, the purpose of which is to increase awareness of SGS and direct visitors to the Website.

The Executive Board recommended that no changes be made to the dues structure or life memberships at this time. This was approved by the membership.

Jesse Crisler, chair of the Nominating Committee, announced the nominees for vacant offices. This committee, consisting of Jesse, Camille Seeley Bell, and Marie Seelye, worked tirelessly to secure nominees. The slate included Lynda Simmons, President; Patricia Palmer, Secretary; and Margaret Petersen, Treasurer. All other elected and appointed officers have agreed to remain in position. With no other nominations from the floor, nominations were approved by the membership.

The Executive Board, having received four nominations for the 2017 reunion, recommended that Marietta, Ohio/Parkersburg, West Virginia be the site for the 2017 Reunion; after a presentation by Linda Crocker, members approved this recommendation. It sounds like a great place to meet! I hope you are planning to attend.

After the membership meeting, a group photo was taken on the steps of the Seelye Mansion. Paul Taylor uses a fun system to identify all the people in the photo, which is always good for a laugh, and the pictures are always great.

After the photo session, members enjoyed free time. Many chose to tour the Seelye Mansion, hang out at the Seelye Research Center and Hospitality Area, visit downtown Abilene with its many museums, antique shops, art galleries, soda fountain, or the farmer’s market, or take a walking tour of Abilene.

An SGS elected and appointed officers meeting, 2015-17, was held in the Seelye Research Center at 4:30. This meeting was conducted by Lynda Simmons, incoming President. A draft of the minutes of this meeting will be in the Reunion Souvenir Book.

On the final night of the Reunion, the group assembled in the Eisenhower Presidential Library courtyard for a lovely dinner and a special speaker. It was awesome for this group to be able to come together in this location, where Presidents of the United States and other world leaders have been entertained.

We were first greeted by the Sisters of Hope, who harmonized many of old favorites. They are a non-profit group, which donates all proceeds to charity.

Tim Rives, Deputy Director and Supervisory Archivist of the Eisenhower Library, spoke about the life and times of Dwight David Eisenhower. Born in Texas but brought to Abilene as a small boy, he grew up to become General of the Army and President of the United States.

At the conclusion of this very informative talk, Lou Ann Crisler with the help of Nick Taylor drew the winning names in the raffle. Bea Seeley and Camille Seeley Bell each won a beautiful Porcelain doll, and Sue Craven won the lovely handmade quilt, donated by Toots Brundage. The raffle yielded over $700.00 for the Society’s general operating fund. Thanks to Toots, Jesse, and Lou Ann for their contributions to a successful raffle. The Awards and Recognition Committee then presented a certificate of Honorable Mention for the Family Society Newsletter competition of the National Genealogical Society to SGS Newsletter editor Paul Taylor. It is indeed an award-winning Newsletter. Certificates of appreciation were then presented to three outgoing officers: Sally Seeley, Camille Seeley Bell, and Kathie Olsen. Marshall Seelye, a member of the Committee, gave a sincere tribute to the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award, Jim Seeley, who family received the award on his behalf.

The newly elected SGS Executive Board was installed by George Seeley, Parliamentarian. Lou Ann Crisler led the group in a last rendition of “Seeleys on the Range,” soloing on two new verses. As a final gesture, Kathie Olsen used the gavel to conclude the reunion/conference. She then presented the “Daniel Seelye Memorial Gavel” to the incoming President, Lynda Simmons.

Kathie Olsen,
SGS President