My Father came to this country when he was fourteen years old. Born of well-to-do parents, as evinced by a picture of his home and his "public school" education.

There were no relations in this country except a wealthy uncle living in Philadelphia. Father visited his uncle in the hope that he might get him a job or show some family interest in his future. However, after spending a few days in Philadelphia he never.landed a job nor obtained any help from his uncle. The uncle did give him a bit of advice--he advocated a career of piano-tuner. This was hardly a happy suggestion as Father was quite tone deaf.

So back to New York, or rather Brooklyn, where he-roomed with J. Walter Thompson, founder of the advertising firm of J. Walter Thompson Co. There was also a brother who later became a successful dentist.

Father’s folks were "Quakers" and it was natural that he attended the Friends' Meeting House in Brooklyn--where he eventually met Mother (Mary Louisa Allen, born 8/l/1850--died 1/11/1909) whose family, too, were wellborn and comfortably situated. The Allen family moved from lower Now York City (then a social center) to Brooklyn where Grandfather Allen bought a semi-detached house--it was country with garden and farm to the north. While brought up in the "Quaker" faith neither Mother nor Father were strong for "Quaker" traditions. They were married Oct. 1, 1873, by Dr. Cuyler, an eminent divine of the Presbyterian faith and again, later, both became Congregationalists, under Dr. Behrends.

Notwithstanding Father's break with the inherited faith he still retained many of the beliefs and was utterly opposed to war; (which he claimed produced only one-armed organ-grinders) self aggrandizement and all display of pomp or superfluous adornment. These traits were exemplified as follows: he resigned from the "Philadelphos Council" of the "Royal Arcauum" because they published his likeness in their local paper; he left town (Detroit) when a reporter called at his hotel for an interview; he always reduced his jewelry to a minimum although he did wear a modest diamond stick-pin and a ring--both gifts and bearing certain sentimental values.

Father was interested, from time to time, in a wide variety of enterprises ranging from a "Stoddard" lock, an electric clock and system, to ownerships in several mills, notable, the "Alpha Knitting, Mills" of Schenectady and he did considerable speculations in wool and later in Real Estate in Westchester and Brooklyn. He also owned a gas plant at Haverstraw, N.Y. and acreage at Weekapaug, R. I.

Father was a founder of the "New York (?) Marine Underwriters", N.Y., the "Loyds Plate Glass Co.", and member of the N.Y. "Chamber of Commerce''

In latter years he was a member of the "Brooklyn Union League Club", "Crescent Athletic Club" and member-of various lunch clubs: "Aldine", "Wool", "Hardware", etc.

Fahter was always interested in banking and served for thirty years as director of the Irving Trust Co., starting with the "Am. ExchangeBank" at West Broadway, N.Y. and continuing through the various changes in name, management and office location.

Father's business acquaintances were quite extensive. He numbered among his intimate friends Frank Woolworth, State Speaker, Titus Sheard, Mfg. of Little Falls, N.Y. officers of the Union News Co., Nat. Lead Co., Borden Co. W. Va. Pulp & Paper Co. He was a member of the "Once-a-Month Club", composed of officers of the Union News Co. and mostly millionaires--their dinners were most sumptuous and expense not spared. Father also numbered amongst his intimate friends Sir Lord Charles Berresford with whom he had many world-wide deals. Sir Charles represented Japan at the Court of St. James and was a foremost collector of Japanese ceramics on which he published several books.

For many years, Father was engaged in the wool business--mostly located on Reade St., N.Y. He founded the firm of Seed and Denby which later moved to the Wool Bldg. on No. Broadway. A few years later, when the wool trade moved to Boston, Father resigned from S.&D., though he continued to make his office with Mr. Denby and in his absence carried on all the activities of the firm though not a member.

Father rarely missed a day from his office with the exception of an occasional week-end with the family when we were spending the summer in the country. There were a few with Mother but business affairs were entailed. Father had few pastimes or hobbies. He amused himself reading, mostly English or American histories, and playing Patience. Later, he joined the "Brooklyn Whist Club" where he became a top-notch player often playing with the experts of his day.

The Seed house was a brown-stone building on Greene Ave., Brooklyn, which Father, bought when I was one or two years old.After retirement, Fahter purchased a summer home in RedBank, N.J. which he shared with my brother and his wife. Fahter liked to tinker but rarely enjoyed the sport except to mend or repair articles, especially in emergencies. Up to retirement, Fahter's health had apparently been excellent. I never saw him to be ell. But later he contracted a severe case of influenza from the results of which he never recovered.

In later years, Father did quite a bit of traveling. One memorable trip was with Mr. John Kelly. my brother's Fahte-in-law. They visited the Riviera and Rome where they had a special audience with the Pope. Fahter died in Red Bank, N.J., July 28, 1918. He was buried with Mother in the Friends Grave Yard in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, where, too, were a brother and most of the Allen family.

[Note from editor: I left most of the spelling and syntax errors in. Also, the burial plots in the Friends’ Cemetary include, after a 1999 inspection by myself and cousin Mary Seed Cox, the above mentioned brother Joseph H. Seed as well as John Seed’s son Edward C. Seed and his wife Josephine Kelly Seed.]