From the Congressional Cemetery Archives:
On Tuesday, September 6, 1904 at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Malcolm Seaton, son of the late William Winston Seaton and Sarah Gales Seaton, of this city in his 67th year.
The Evening Star, September 8, 1902, p. 11
Malcolm Seaton Dead
Was Long Identified With the Patent Office
Expired at Marblehead Neck, Mass., After Brief Illness --
Prominent in Masonic Circles
Malcolm Seaton, examiner in the patent office, who has been connected with that branch of the government service since 1866, died at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Tuesday. Mr. Seaton was 75 years of age, and had long been a member of several branches of the Masonic order of the city. He leaves a wife, one son and a daughter. He had been visiting the Massachusetts coast during the summer, and was ill but a short time.
The funeral will occur tomorrow at 4 o'clock p.m. from Trinity P.E. Church. The members of the family are at the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, U.S.N., 1816 N street.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and that body will officiate at the funeral. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United States.
Malcolm Seaton was a son of the late William Winston Seaton, himself worshipful master of Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction for seven years, and grand master of the Masons of the District of Columbia for the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, and one of the leading citizens of Washington, having served as mayor of the city during its government as a municipality from 1840 to 1850. The father was also editor of the National Intelligencer until his retirement from business in 1865.
Born in Washington
Mr. Seaton was born in Washington, May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the
mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission beaing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
The Evening Star, September 9, 1904, p. 5
Funeral of Malcolm Seaton
Services to Be Held Under Masonic Auspices This Afternoon
Funeral services over the remains of Malcolm Seaton, principal examiner in the patent office, who died at Marblehead, Mass., Tuesday, will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Trinity P.E. Church. The body reached this city yesterday morning, and was taken to the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, United States Navy, 1816 N street northwest, where the members of the family are staying.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and the funeral is in charge of that body. A meeting was held at Masonic Temple at 3 o'clock for the announcement
of pallbearers and the completion of other arrangements.
Mr. Seaton leaves a wife and no children. He was born in this city May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aide in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until
the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission bearing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
Kenton N. Harper, History of the Grand Lodge, 1911
p. 388-389: Grand Master, 1902
This Brother, the son of the late William Winston Seaton, Grandmaster during the years 1821, 22, and 24, was born in Washington City, District of Columbia, May 12, 1829. He received his education in the private schools of the city of his birth, with the exception of the time he was a pupil in Benjamin Hallowell's school of Alexandria, Va., and a student of Capt. Kingsley's military school on the Hudson River near West Point.
In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States Coast Survey, the distinguished scientist, Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache, at that time being its superintendent. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of Assistant Engineer in the Boundary Commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico, under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and served in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, having in the meantime worked upon the line from New Mexico to California, returning across the country to El Paso, and thence down through Mexico to Camargo on the Rio Grande.
In 1853 he was reappointed as assistant in the Coast Survey, but his health failing from exposure to the swamps in Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position October 26, 1860, in the clerical force of the United States Census, which position he held until the work on the Census was finished in July, 1866, when he was transferred to the U.S. Patent Office, his commission bearing date August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880 was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner, which position he held during the remainder of his life.
Bro. Seaton was made a Master Mason, November 7, 1867, in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, of this jurisdiction, and on removing his residence to Georgetown, D.C. (now West Washington), he affiliated with Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of that city. He was elected Senior Warden of that lodge in 1889, and in 1890 was elected its Worshipful Master. In 1892 he was elected Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, and successively passed through the several chairs, and was elected December 4 and installed December 27, 1901, as M.W. Grand Master. This position he filled with signal ability, dignity, and grace. He exacted a strict adherence to constitutional provisions, the ancient landmarks, customs, and usage's, and observance of fraternal courtesies; his dignified and courtly bearing always commanded respect and deference; his suavity of manner made it always a pleasure to approach him and be in his society, and his choice of language and grace of expression always insured him an attentive audience.
Bro. Seaton was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in which he had taken eighteen degrees. He was a member of Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, until it surrendered its charter in December 1902, and was later a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and also of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, A.A.S.R., located in the city of Washington.
The latter years of his life were years of suffering, which culminated in his death September 6, 1904, at Marblehead, Mass., whither he had gone but a short time before in the hope that the change might prove beneficial.
On Tuesday, September 6, 1904 at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Malcolm Seaton, son of the late William Winston Seaton and Sarah Gales Seaton, of this city in his 67th year.
The Evening Star, September 8, 1902, p. 11
Malcolm Seaton Dead
Was Long Identified With the Patent Office
Expired at Marblehead Neck, Mass., After Brief Illness --
Prominent in Masonic Circles
Malcolm Seaton, examiner in the patent office, who has been connected with that branch of the government service since 1866, died at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Tuesday. Mr. Seaton was 75 years of age, and had long been a member of several branches of the Masonic order of the city. He leaves a wife, one son and a daughter. He had been visiting the Massachusetts coast during the summer, and was ill but a short time.
The funeral will occur tomorrow at 4 o'clock p.m. from Trinity P.E. Church. The members of the family are at the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, U.S.N., 1816 N street.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and that body will officiate at the funeral. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United States.
Malcolm Seaton was a son of the late William Winston Seaton, himself worshipful master of Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction for seven years, and grand master of the Masons of the District of Columbia for the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, and one of the leading citizens of Washington, having served as mayor of the city during its government as a municipality from 1840 to 1850. The father was also editor of the National Intelligencer until his retirement from business in 1865.
Born in Washington
Mr. Seaton was born in Washington, May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the
mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission beaing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
The Evening Star, September 9, 1904, p. 5
Funeral of Malcolm Seaton
Services to Be Held Under Masonic Auspices This Afternoon
Funeral services over the remains of Malcolm Seaton, principal examiner in the patent office, who died at Marblehead, Mass., Tuesday, will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Trinity P.E. Church. The body reached this city yesterday morning, and was taken to the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, United States Navy, 1816 N street northwest, where the members of the family are staying.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and the funeral is in charge of that body. A meeting was held at Masonic Temple at 3 o'clock for the announcement
of pallbearers and the completion of other arrangements.
Mr. Seaton leaves a wife and no children. He was born in this city May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aide in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until
the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission bearing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
Kenton N. Harper, History of the Grand Lodge, 1911
p. 388-389: Grand Master, 1902
This Brother, the son of the late William Winston Seaton, Grandmaster during the years 1821, 22, and 24, was born in Washington City, District of Columbia, May 12, 1829. He received his education in the private schools of the city of his birth, with the exception of the time he was a pupil in Benjamin Hallowell's school of Alexandria, Va., and a student of Capt. Kingsley's military school on the Hudson River near West Point.
In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States Coast Survey, the distinguished scientist, Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache, at that time being its superintendent. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of Assistant Engineer in the Boundary Commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico, under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and served in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, having in the meantime worked upon the line from New Mexico to California, returning across the country to El Paso, and thence down through Mexico to Camargo on the Rio Grande.
In 1853 he was reappointed as assistant in the Coast Survey, but his health failing from exposure to the swamps in Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position October 26, 1860, in the clerical force of the United States Census, which position he held until the work on the Census was finished in July, 1866, when he was transferred to the U.S. Patent Office, his commission bearing date August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880 was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner, which position he held during the remainder of his life.
Bro. Seaton was made a Master Mason, November 7, 1867, in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, of this jurisdiction, and on removing his residence to Georgetown, D.C. (now West Washington), he affiliated with Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of that city. He was elected Senior Warden of that lodge in 1889, and in 1890 was elected its Worshipful Master. In 1892 he was elected Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, and successively passed through the several chairs, and was elected December 4 and installed December 27, 1901, as M.W. Grand Master. This position he filled with signal ability, dignity, and grace. He exacted a strict adherence to constitutional provisions, the ancient landmarks, customs, and usage's, and observance of fraternal courtesies; his dignified and courtly bearing always commanded respect and deference; his suavity of manner made it always a pleasure to approach him and be in his society, and his choice of language and grace of expression always insured him an attentive audience.
Bro. Seaton was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in which he had taken eighteen degrees. He was a member of Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, until it surrendered its charter in December 1902, and was later a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and also of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, A.A.S.R., located in the city of Washington.
The latter years of his life were years of suffering, which culminated in his death September 6, 1904, at Marblehead, Mass., whither he had gone but a short time before in the hope that the change might prove beneficial.
From the Congressional Cemetery Archives:
On Tuesday, September 6, 1904 at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Malcolm Seaton, son of the late William Winston Seaton and Sarah Gales Seaton, of this city in his 67th year.
The Evening Star, September 8, 1902, p. 11
Malcolm Seaton Dead
Was Long Identified With the Patent Office
Expired at Marblehead Neck, Mass., After Brief Illness --
Prominent in Masonic Circles
Malcolm Seaton, examiner in the patent office, who has been connected with that branch of the government service since 1866, died at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Tuesday. Mr. Seaton was 75 years of age, and had long been a member of several branches of the Masonic order of the city. He leaves a wife, one son and a daughter. He had been visiting the Massachusetts coast during the summer, and was ill but a short time.
The funeral will occur tomorrow at 4 o'clock p.m. from Trinity P.E. Church. The members of the family are at the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, U.S.N., 1816 N street.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and that body will officiate at the funeral. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United States.
Malcolm Seaton was a son of the late William Winston Seaton, himself worshipful master of Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction for seven years, and grand master of the Masons of the District of Columbia for the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, and one of the leading citizens of Washington, having served as mayor of the city during its government as a municipality from 1840 to 1850. The father was also editor of the National Intelligencer until his retirement from business in 1865.
Born in Washington
Mr. Seaton was born in Washington, May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the
mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission beaing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
The Evening Star, September 9, 1904, p. 5
Funeral of Malcolm Seaton
Services to Be Held Under Masonic Auspices This Afternoon
Funeral services over the remains of Malcolm Seaton, principal examiner in the patent office, who died at Marblehead, Mass., Tuesday, will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Trinity P.E. Church. The body reached this city yesterday morning, and was taken to the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, United States Navy, 1816 N street northwest, where the members of the family are staying.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and the funeral is in charge of that body. A meeting was held at Masonic Temple at 3 o'clock for the announcement
of pallbearers and the completion of other arrangements.
Mr. Seaton leaves a wife and no children. He was born in this city May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aide in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until
the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission bearing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
Kenton N. Harper, History of the Grand Lodge, 1911
p. 388-389: Grand Master, 1902
This Brother, the son of the late William Winston Seaton, Grandmaster during the years 1821, 22, and 24, was born in Washington City, District of Columbia, May 12, 1829. He received his education in the private schools of the city of his birth, with the exception of the time he was a pupil in Benjamin Hallowell's school of Alexandria, Va., and a student of Capt. Kingsley's military school on the Hudson River near West Point.
In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States Coast Survey, the distinguished scientist, Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache, at that time being its superintendent. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of Assistant Engineer in the Boundary Commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico, under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and served in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, having in the meantime worked upon the line from New Mexico to California, returning across the country to El Paso, and thence down through Mexico to Camargo on the Rio Grande.
In 1853 he was reappointed as assistant in the Coast Survey, but his health failing from exposure to the swamps in Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position October 26, 1860, in the clerical force of the United States Census, which position he held until the work on the Census was finished in July, 1866, when he was transferred to the U.S. Patent Office, his commission bearing date August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880 was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner, which position he held during the remainder of his life.
Bro. Seaton was made a Master Mason, November 7, 1867, in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, of this jurisdiction, and on removing his residence to Georgetown, D.C. (now West Washington), he affiliated with Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of that city. He was elected Senior Warden of that lodge in 1889, and in 1890 was elected its Worshipful Master. In 1892 he was elected Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, and successively passed through the several chairs, and was elected December 4 and installed December 27, 1901, as M.W. Grand Master. This position he filled with signal ability, dignity, and grace. He exacted a strict adherence to constitutional provisions, the ancient landmarks, customs, and usage's, and observance of fraternal courtesies; his dignified and courtly bearing always commanded respect and deference; his suavity of manner made it always a pleasure to approach him and be in his society, and his choice of language and grace of expression always insured him an attentive audience.
Bro. Seaton was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in which he had taken eighteen degrees. He was a member of Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, until it surrendered its charter in December 1902, and was later a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and also of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, A.A.S.R., located in the city of Washington.
The latter years of his life were years of suffering, which culminated in his death September 6, 1904, at Marblehead, Mass., whither he had gone but a short time before in the hope that the change might prove beneficial.
On Tuesday, September 6, 1904 at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Malcolm Seaton, son of the late William Winston Seaton and Sarah Gales Seaton, of this city in his 67th year.
The Evening Star, September 8, 1902, p. 11
Malcolm Seaton Dead
Was Long Identified With the Patent Office
Expired at Marblehead Neck, Mass., After Brief Illness --
Prominent in Masonic Circles
Malcolm Seaton, examiner in the patent office, who has been connected with that branch of the government service since 1866, died at Marblehead Neck, Mass., Tuesday. Mr. Seaton was 75 years of age, and had long been a member of several branches of the Masonic order of the city. He leaves a wife, one son and a daughter. He had been visiting the Massachusetts coast during the summer, and was ill but a short time.
The funeral will occur tomorrow at 4 o'clock p.m. from Trinity P.E. Church. The members of the family are at the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, U.S.N., 1816 N street.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and that body will officiate at the funeral. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite for the southern jurisdiction of the United States.
Malcolm Seaton was a son of the late William Winston Seaton, himself worshipful master of Lebanon Lodge, No. 7, of this jurisdiction for seven years, and grand master of the Masons of the District of Columbia for the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, and one of the leading citizens of Washington, having served as mayor of the city during its government as a municipality from 1840 to 1850. The father was also editor of the National Intelligencer until his retirement from business in 1865.
Born in Washington
Mr. Seaton was born in Washington, May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the
mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission beaing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
The Evening Star, September 9, 1904, p. 5
Funeral of Malcolm Seaton
Services to Be Held Under Masonic Auspices This Afternoon
Funeral services over the remains of Malcolm Seaton, principal examiner in the patent office, who died at Marblehead, Mass., Tuesday, will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Trinity P.E. Church. The body reached this city yesterday morning, and was taken to the residence of Capt. Seaton Schroeder, United States Navy, 1816 N street northwest, where the members of the family are staying.
Mr. Seaton was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the District of Columbia, and the funeral is in charge of that body. A meeting was held at Masonic Temple at 3 o'clock for the announcement
of pallbearers and the completion of other arrangements.
Mr. Seaton leaves a wife and no children. He was born in this city May 12, 1829, and received his education in the private schools of this city, at Alexandria and at Kingsley's Military School, near West Point, N.Y. In 1848 he was appointed an aide in the United States coast survey, under Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of assistant engineer in the boundary commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, serving in that capacity until
the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, he having worked in the interval on the line from New Mexico to California, thence back to El Paso and through Mexico.
In 1853 he was reappointed an assistant in the coast survey, but his health having failed from exposure in the swamps of Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position, October 26, 1860, in the census office, which position he held until the work on the census was finished in July 1866, when he was transferred to the United States patent office, his commission bearing the date, August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880, was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner.
Kenton N. Harper, History of the Grand Lodge, 1911
p. 388-389: Grand Master, 1902
This Brother, the son of the late William Winston Seaton, Grandmaster during the years 1821, 22, and 24, was born in Washington City, District of Columbia, May 12, 1829. He received his education in the private schools of the city of his birth, with the exception of the time he was a pupil in Benjamin Hallowell's school of Alexandria, Va., and a student of Capt. Kingsley's military school on the Hudson River near West Point.
In 1848 he was appointed an aid in the United States Coast Survey, the distinguished scientist, Prof. Alexander Dallas Bache, at that time being its superintendent. In 1850 he resigned to accept the position of Assistant Engineer in the Boundary Commission to run the line between the United States and Mexico, under the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, and served in that capacity until the last stake was driven at the mouth of the Rio Grande in 1853, having in the meantime worked upon the line from New Mexico to California, returning across the country to El Paso, and thence down through Mexico to Camargo on the Rio Grande.
In 1853 he was reappointed as assistant in the Coast Survey, but his health failing from exposure to the swamps in Louisiana and Texas, he accepted a position October 26, 1860, in the clerical force of the United States Census, which position he held until the work on the Census was finished in July, 1866, when he was transferred to the U.S. Patent Office, his commission bearing date August 1, 1866. In this office he advanced through the several grades of assistant examiners, and in July, 1880 was appointed chief clerk of the bureau, and on October 1, 1882, was promoted to the grade of principal examiner, which position he held during the remainder of his life.
Bro. Seaton was made a Master Mason, November 7, 1867, in Columbia Lodge, No. 3, of this jurisdiction, and on removing his residence to Georgetown, D.C. (now West Washington), he affiliated with Potomac Lodge, No. 5, of that city. He was elected Senior Warden of that lodge in 1889, and in 1890 was elected its Worshipful Master. In 1892 he was elected Junior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge, and successively passed through the several chairs, and was elected December 4 and installed December 27, 1901, as M.W. Grand Master. This position he filled with signal ability, dignity, and grace. He exacted a strict adherence to constitutional provisions, the ancient landmarks, customs, and usage's, and observance of fraternal courtesies; his dignified and courtly bearing always commanded respect and deference; his suavity of manner made it always a pleasure to approach him and be in his society, and his choice of language and grace of expression always insured him an attentive audience.
Bro. Seaton was also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, in which he had taken eighteen degrees. He was a member of Orient Lodge of Perfection, No. 2, until it surrendered its charter in December 1902, and was later a member of Mithras Lodge of Perfection, No. 1, and also of Evangelist Chapter Rose Croix, A.A.S.R., located in the city of Washington.
The latter years of his life were years of suffering, which culminated in his death September 6, 1904, at Marblehead, Mass., whither he had gone but a short time before in the hope that the change might prove beneficial.
Gravesite Details
AGE: 75 - COD: Enteritis - BIRTHPLACE: DC
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