From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1346-1348
 
WILLIAM LYMAN SEAVER.  One of the best known and most successful contractors 
in Walworth county is William Lyman SEAVER, of Walworth, a man who has led an 
active and useful life in every respect and therefore enjoys the esteem of a 
wide circle of friends.
 
Mr. SEAVER was born in Darien, this county, November 24, 1868.  He is the son 
of James E. and Phoebe L .(DODGE) SEAVER, the father having come from Darien, 
New York, in 1839, among the early settlers, being two years old when he came 
with his parents, Lyman Hunt SEAVER and Sallie (WOODARD) SEAVER.  Lyman SEAVER 
was here a year or two before bringing his family.  He probably entered land 
from the government.
 
The subject grew to manhood on the farm in Darien and lived there until he was 
married, on March 15, 1896, to Lydia SEAVER, daughter of Horace Everett SEAVER 
and Orinda (LIPPITT) SEAVER.  Her father was born in Darien, New York, in 
1832, and when about eight years old he came here with his parents, Joseph 
Warren SEAVER and Mary (LONG-HASTINGS) SEAVER.  Joseph Warren SEAVER, Mrs. 
SEAVER's grandfather, and Lyman Hunt SEVAER, grandfather of William Lyman 
SEAVER, were brothers. They were sons of William SEAVER.  The last named was 
born in 1763 and died in 1828.  He served in the Revolutionary war five 
different times.  The original muster roll at Boston, Massachusetts, shows 
that he was a private in Colonel Greaton's regiment in the Continental army, 
and he was detailed as one of the guards at the execution of Major Andre, the 
British spy.  William SEAVER was in the sixth generation of the family in 
America and was educated in this county.  The first one came on the ship "Mary 
and John" in 1634.  He was a young Englishman named Robert SEAVER, from near 
London  He landed at Boston and two or three months later married and began 
farming on ground that is now in the heart of Boston.  His son Joshua was the 
father of Joshua, Jr., born in 1678, the latter a lieutenant in the state 
militia, and he fought the Indians.  He was a weaver by trade, and was a slave 
holder; he kept a tavern, sold New England rum, and he was a church member.  
Lieut. Joseph SEAVER had a son William, who had a son William, who was a 
potter, made wooden shoe heels, taught singing in school, and was a major in 
the American army during our war for independence, from Massachusetts.  He was 
very successful as a business man.  He was a major in the Bristol county 
brigade.  His son William was in the sixth generation, as mentioned above, the 
one who guarded Major Andre.  He was also in the navy during the Revolution, 
then followed a seafaring life.  He was six feet tall and weighted two hundred 
pounds, and excelled in athletic feats, at one time defeating the champion 
wrestler of Vermont.  At Arlington, that state, he was captain of the local 
military company.  He is described as a man above the average in intelligence 
and character.  Phoebe L. DODGE, the mother of William Lyman SEVERANCE, was 
the daughter of Josiah and Julia (LONG) DODGE.  She came from near Darien, New 
York, coming to Walworth county, Wisconsin with her parents.
 
James Everett SEAVER was born at Darien, New York, June 13, 1837.  He was a 
son of Lyman H. and Sarah (WOODARD) SEAVER, the former born at Arlington 
Vermont, October 26, 1796, and the latter was born at Hebron, New York, in 
April 1797, and they were married on April 29, 1819  When James E. SEAVER was 
two years old and family came west and located in Darien township, one mile 
west of the village, the father entering his land from the government.  James 
E. SEAVER grew up in Darien township, and on November 16, 1859, he was united 
in marriage with Phebe DODGE, daughter of Josiah and Julia (LONG) DODGE.  She 
was born at Darien, New York, June 20, 1841, and came here with her parents 
when she was two years old.  They also located in Darien township.
 
After James E. SEAVER was marred he and his wife lived in Sharon township 
about seven years, he having bought a farm there, then moved back to Darien 
and bought a farm near the village and there he continued to reside until near 
the end of his life.  His death occurred on April 2, 1909, his wife having 
preceded him to the grave on October 11, 1906.  They were the parents of five 
children, four of whom are living; Josi died when he was eighteen years old; 
Marcus D. lives at Los Angeles, California; Bertha is the wife of John S. 
TOPPING and lives in Delavan; William L. lives in Walworth; Clara M. is the 
wife of Leander WRIGHT and lives at Los Angeles, California.  Joseph Warren 
SEAVER was a member of the state Legislature at one time.
 
Orinda LIPPITT was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, and came here when 
two years old with her parents, being among the very first settlers of Darien 
township.  Her parents were Cyrus and Lydia (BRUCE) LIPPITT.  The father came 
to this county in 1837 and settled in section 35, Darien township.  Lydia 
(BRUCE) LIPPITT had two bothers John and William BRUCE, who were among the 
earliest settlers in Darien.  Adelai SEAVER, sister of Horace Everett SEAVER, 
was one of the three earliest school teachers in Darien township.
 
Henry DODGE, the first territorial governor of Wisconsin, was of the same 
DODGE family as the subject.  He was governor in 1836, also in 1845.
 
After his marriage the subject of this sketch moved to Richmond, Illinois, 
where he was manager of a lumber yard until the spring of 1903, when he went 
to Spring Grove, that state, where he was half owner of a lumber yard, 
remaining there three or four years.  Then he sold out his interests there and 
took up contracting in concrete work.  He moved to Walworth, this county, in 
October 1908, and here he has since made his home, continuing contracting in 
concrete work.  He has five children, Lucy, Everett, William, Kenneth and 
Stuart.  He is a member of the Masonic order, both the blue lodge and the 
chapter.
 
Submitted by Carol