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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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RALPH H. SELLEW, of Paradise Precinct, Perry County, was born on the 27th of July, 1857, in Jackson, Mo., and is a son Henry and Jemima (Cherry) Sellew. The former was born in Connecticut, March 4, 1817, and the latter in Raleigh, N. C., on the 21st of June, 1830. Their marriage was celebrated in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., August 16, 1853, and they became the parents of two children, Ralph H. and Charles W. The latter is a graduate of the Illinois College of Pharmacy, and is now in the drug business in Kirkwood, Mo.

The paternal grandfather, Col. James Sellew, was a native of Connecticut, and won his title in the state militia. His father bore the name of Philip, Jr., the latter being a son of John, whose father, Philip Sellew, Sr., was the founder of the family in America. He was born in Bordeaux, France, and was educated for the clergy of the Protestant Church. In consequence of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, he left his native land for America, and settled in Massachusetts. Here he engaged in teaching school for fifty years. His death occurred May 15, 1773, at the advanced age of eighty-five.

The great-grandfather of our subject served in the Indian wars in Canada. Removing to Connecticut, he became very prominent in public affairs and was elected to the Legislature. He also served in many local offices, being one of the leading and influential citizens of the community. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeduthan Smith, who was the King’s High Sheriff of the Colony of Hartford, and filled that office until exempted by age. John Sellew married Hannah, daughter of James Hamilton, and granddaughter of Thomas Hamilton, who was the fourth son of Sir George Hamilton, co-heir of Hon. George Hamilton, sixth Earl Abercorn in the kingdom of Scotland, and Duke of Chatelherault in France, who was the great-grandson of King James II by the Princess Mary.

James Sellew, grandfather of our subject, was the seventh child of Philip. He married Mabel Bentson, of Albany, N. Y., who was related to the Webster family. Their seventh child was Henry Sellew, father of our subject. He acquired a common-school education, and learned the art of marble engraving. From his native state he emigrated to New Orleans, where he engaged in the hardware business for about three years. On the expiration of that period, he removed to Jackson, Mo., where he engaged in general merchandising until just previous to the breaking out of the late war, when he disposed of his possessions there and came to Illinois, locating in St. John, Perry County. He purchased the farm known as the Judge Jones’ place, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, and there lived a retired life until called to the home beyond, November 1, 1865. He was a Union man, and his sympathies were with the Republican party. His widow still survives him, and is yet living on the old homestead with her son Ralph. Her father was a farmer of Missouri, and was elected Captain of a company of volunteers to serve in the Mexican War, but the troops were never called to the front. He was a native of North Carolina, and died July 1, 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Black, came of an old Virginian family.

Mrs. Sellew is a member of the Christian Church, and her husband held membership with the Congregational Church. She is a most estimable lady, and one widely and favorably known in this community. Their second son, Charles, was graduated from the Illinois College of Pharmacy in the Class of ‘92, and later accepted a position with a druggist in Kirkwood, Mo. He is a great lover of fine horses, owning a number of the same, and deals to some extent in blooded stock.

Ralph Sellew, whose name heads this record, was reared under the parental roof, and was very young when his parents came to Perry County, where the greater part of his life has been passed. His primary education was acquired in the district schools, and was supplemented by study in the high school of Du Quoin. Later he engaged in teaching for five years, but he now devotes his time and attention to agricultural interests, being engaged in the operation of the old homestead. Upon the farm may be noticed a good dwelling, barns and outbuildings, which are models of convenience, and all modern accessories and improvements. This place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates the careful supervision of the owner, who is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of the community. He has also made some investments in city real estate.

In politics Mr. Sellew is a supporter of Republican principles. He is a man of culture, fond of literary pursuits and the society of refined and educated people. A gentleman of pleasing manner, he is generous and charitable in disposition, is popular with all who know him and has the high regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. He is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and in the history of his adopted county well deserves representation.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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