My Genealogy Hound

SEELY McCORD, an influential business man of Benton Harbor, is engaged in the manufacture of brick and tile in this city in connection with E. H. Ferguson, and they own one of the largest plants in southwestern Michigan. Since the inception of this enterprise in 1888, it has enjoyed a steady growth and an increase in volume from year to year, until there is now a daily output of sixty thousand brick, which, being of excellent quality, find a ready sale in the home market and elsewhere. In their brick plant they have all the requisite machinery and appliances, including the latest improvements and most modern inventions. Two years after the establishment of the brick plant, they added machinery for the manufacture of tile, which they make of the various sizes up to eight inches.

Our subject was born in Cook County, Ill., near the city of Chicago, June 15, 1853, and is a son of John and Harriet (Paddock) McCord. His parents were natives of New York State, whence they removed in early life to Illinois, and, settling in Cook County, were there married. Upon a farm in that county the father engaged in general agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of stock-raising, in which he met with fair success. The home he there established was his until he was called from earth in 1873. His widow survived him for a number of years, her death occurring in Cook County in 1887.

The parental family consisted of eight children, five sons and three daughters, Seely being the third. Five of the number are now living. Our subject spent his youth upon the farm, where he assisted his father in the usual routine of agricultural labors, and in the intervals of work prosecuted his studies in the district school. Later he took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College in Chicago. Upon starting out in business for himself, he went to Woodson County, Kan., where he and a brother purchased four thousand acres of land, and for three years engaged in raising sheep on their ranch. At the expiration of that time, they returned to Cook County, Ill., having met with more than ordinary success in their undertaking.

In 1883, coming to Benton Harbor, Mr. McCord embarked in the fruit business, and, buying a good farm, engaged in raising peaches and other fruits. At one time he gave considerable attention to general farming, and still carries on agricultural pursuits to some extent. In 1892 he started a dairy, and now has forty milch cows on his place. He is the owner of valuable real estate in Benton Harbor, and has platted an addition to the southern part of the city, also a thirty-acre addition in the eastern part of the city. The latter he has laid out in desirable lots for dwellings, and the property is especially valuable on account of affording a fine view of the lake as well as the city. For a residence for his family he erected an elegant brick structure, but later sold the property to Dr. Martha Stevens, who utilizes it for a sanitarium.

Together with George J. Edgcumbe, our subject founded the Normal and Collegiate Institute, which was conducted successfully until 1892. Then, in connection with S. A. Bailey, Rev. C. B. Patterson and S. H. Edgcumbe, he filed papers of incorporation, and the name was changed to the Benton Harbor College and Normal, which is now recognized as one of the solid institutions of learning of the State. From the establishment of the college Mr. McCord has been its devoted friend, and has contributed liberally both of his means and time to its support. He also took an active part in the organization of the first Presbyterian Church, December 9, 1892, of which he is an influential member and Trustee.

May 25, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. McCord to Miss Abbie J. Brewster, of Blue Island, Ill., daughter of Rev. W. H. Brewster, and who died on the 6th of April, 1887, leaving four children: Alice, Blaine, Catherine and Grace. Mr. McCord was again married, June 21, 1892, choosing as his wife Miss Maude, daughter of Col. H. E. and Elizabeth (Arndt) Eastman, of Benton Harbor. The family residence is attractively situated on Territorial Street. In his political preferences Mr. McCord has always given his sympathy and support to the Republican party, and is a man who takes an intelligent interest in all projects calculated to promote the welfare of his fellow-citizens.