Pulaski Editor Dies

Byron George Seaman's, 66, editor of The Pulaski Democrat, died while sitting on a couch with his wife, listening to a radio program, at his home in North Jefferson Street. Falling toward Mrs. Seamans' he said "I am going." His wife called Dr. Fenton MacCallum, who lives next door. Mr. Seamans was dead when the physician arrived. He pronounced death due to heart disease. Mr. Seamans has been editor and publisher of The Pulaski Democrat 37 years. He was one of the most prominent of Pulaski residents in church, business and civic life.

Ithaca Journal News

Saturday, September 17, 1927

p. 12

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Byron George Seamans, 66, died at 8 o'clock Wednesday night, September 14, 1927, while sitting on a couch with his wife, listening to a radio program, at his home in North Jefferson street, Pulaski.

Falling toward Mrs. Seamans, he said "I am going." His wife called Dr. Fenton MacCallum, who lives next door. Mr. Seamans was dead when the physician arrived. He pronounced death due to heart disease.

In the passing away of Editor Byron G. Seamans an irreparable loss has come to our community. Few men were better known, and exerted a greater influence for good than Mr. Seamans. He was one of our representative men, and gave the full measure of his devotion to things worth while. In his death, thousands have lost a true and sincere friend—and the Church of Christ one of her most consistent members, and brightest adornments.

He gladly employed his gifts as writer and speaker to make the world better, and the lives of others happier. His sympathetic nature and his interest in the struggles of others made him friends everywhere. His character was a rare combination of grace and strength—a devout man, filled with the spirit of God. He was a born leader of men—and blessed with a winsome personality. He lived a full, busy life.

His motto was "I must work while it Is day, for the night cometh, when no man can work." He worked hard, early and late—and thus accomplished much and achieved great things. There was a certain radiancy about him that made his presence helpful and charming in every company. It is difficult to realize that he is gone to his long home. The loss cannot be measured today that has come to the home, friends and community by his passing away. "With sunrise the child will be up again, not wearied, as when we laid him down, but happy and eager for the new day."

Mr. Seamans was born in the town of Albion, Seamans District, May 22, 1862, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Seamans. He lived at home until he was 14 years old at which time he started out for himself. While working at milling and as a farm hand, he was a student at Sandy Creek High School, where he was later a teacher. He also taught at the school on the Ridge road.

Mr. Seamans learned the printing trade in the Sandy Creek News office where he was an apprentice. In 1884 he became the proprietor and editor of the Copenhagen News, soon taking over similar duties with the Carthage Leader. For a time he was an associate on the staff of the Watertown Herald. In 1886, Mr. Seamans became associated with the late Frank Munger in the Richfield Springs Mercury. In 1895 he purchased the Pulaski Democrat, and since that time has been its editor and publisher.

In Otsego County, Mr. Seamans served as clerk of the Board of Supervisors. In Oswego County he has been identified with the Republican party in town and county politics. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Pulaski, Pulaski Lodge F. & A. M., Pulaski Chapter R. A. M., Pulaski Chapter O. E. S., Lake Ontario Commandery 32, Knights Templar of Oswego, Watertown Shrine, A. 8, Warner Camp S. of V., Pulaski Grange, Celia Dewey Seamans Tent, D. U. C. C. W., Pulaski Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of Oswego county child welfare board.

In Carthage, December 1886, he was married to Ella Caswell Hull, by whom he is survived; also by two daughters, Mrs. Martin V. Graney, Oredell, N. J.; Mrs. Wesley H. Nickerson, Lockport; a stepson, Mr. George D. Hull, Kingston, Pa.; two sisters, Mrs. Rita Parker, Pulaski, and Mrs. Minnie Seamans Peck, Syracuse.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Congregational Church, Arrangements are as yet incomplete.

The suddenness of Mr. Seamans' passing is a shock to his unnumbered friends in this community where he spent several years of his life, and with whom he has always maintained the closest relations. Evidence of his active and helpful life to the moment of its close is found in the fact that only last Sunday he preached in a Richfield Springs church, and on his return home attended a Child Welfare meeting in Oswego.

It seems a strange coincidence, indeed, that the final editorial appearing in yesterday's Pulaski Democrat, edited by Mr. Seamans, should be of the following nature.

What Did He Do?

"We wonder why we do not hear the question, after a man has passed away, "What did he do?" as often as we hear the question, "What did he leave?" We have known of many who left a record of service who did not leave much that would be regarded for assessment of "Inheritance tax," but the world was better for the life and service they had for the appraisers of their estates to pass on. Some seem to have in mind the glory of a record of money gathering that will make the world say "how successful was." Not all live for that epitaph. Some are doing things that mean much in help to those who are endeavoring to make the world better. Getting, unless it is that service can be larger is not much credit to the getter."

Those who have had the privilege of knowing Byron Seamans, those who have been among the many uplifted by his fine and beautiful nature, can attest to the fact that he more than attained that high goal.

Sandy Creek News, Sandy Creek, N.Y., September 15, 1927