Shelby County Alabama

John M. Seale, born about March 1830 in Shelby County Alabama, was the son of Charles and Eleanor Seale. On August 24, 1851 in Shelby County Alabama he married Louisa Caroline Gothard, born about April 1835, daughter of David Gothard.

John M. Seale entered the Civil War on March 31, 1862 at the age of 32 years, Private, Co. "D", 30th Alabama Infantry. On April 12, 1901, at the age of 70 years, he filed in Shelby County Alabama an "Application for the Relief of Confederate Soldiers and Sailors." Caroline Seale filed on June 3, 1902 in Shelby County Alabama an "Application of Widows Whose Deceased Husband's Name is on Pension Roll" and indicated that John M. Seale died on the 9th of February 1902.

"Uncle John Seale" is buried in a wooded area, which was his home place, about 1/4 mile inside Shelby County Alabama, to the right of Interstate 65 South just before entering Chilton County Alabama. In 1966, during the time the Interstate was under construction, the State of Alabama Highway Department had his grave moved about 100 yards from where he was originally buried, as told by Billy Charles Thompson, the Shelby County Alabama coroner at that time. "Uncle John Seale" was buried in a "cedar box," still intact at the time his grave was moved. Buried with him were his walking cane, pocketknife, and eating utensils. It is said that he was originally buried beside his hunting dog.

William P. Harvey, 1861-1942, the son of Patrick H. Harvey and Sarah A. Seale, erected the grave marker for "Uncle John Seale". William P. Harvey has no grave marker, however, he and his parents are buried in Old Rock Springs Cemetery in Chilton County Alabama. His mother, Sarah A. Harvey, was a sister to John M. Seale.

The children of John M. Seale and Louisa Caroline Gothard were, all born in Shelby County Alabama, (1) William James "Jim" Seale, 1854-1915, married in Shelby County Alabama on June 8, 1877 to Frances Elizabeth Crim, 1858-1944. They are buried in New Salem Cemetery in Calera, Shelby County Alabama, no grave marker. (2) George Seale, born about 1855. No further information after the July 22, 1870 Shelby County Alabama census records. (3) Emma E. Seale, 1867-1913, first married, divorce was granted April 14, 1900, in Shelby County Alabama to John Wesley Busby, 1861-1939, a son of Samuel Elijah Busby and Amanda Emeline Armstrong. Their daughter was Belle Banks Busby, born November 27, 1887. On December 15, 1907 in Chilton County Alabama Emma E. Busby second marriage was to Thomas G. Ellison, 1857-1924. Belle's first marriage was to Burey Washington Ellison, 1887-1910. Her second marriage was to John C. Bice, 1860-1930. Her last marriage was to Henry Harrison Mims, 1865-1949. Belle Mims died August 9, 1962 and is buried in Rocky Mount Methodist Church Cemetery in Chilton County Alabama.

The obituary, Chilton County News, Thursday, August 16, 1962,  "Belle Mims of Jemison, died August 8, at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at Rocky Mt. Methodist Church at 2:00 P.M. August 11. Rev. Charlie Ellison and Sam Connell officiating ministers. Active Pallbearers: C.W. Bice, C.H. Porter, O'Neal Bice, Earl Ellison, John H. Bice, LeCroy Bice and Brannon Porter. Flower ladies were friends of the family. Surviving relatives include three daughters, Mrs. Annie Bice, Mrs. Etha Porter, both of Jemison and Mrs. Kathaline Martin of Bessemer; four sons, Henry and Herman Ellison, both of Jemison, Junior Bice of Calera and Walter Bice of Garden City, Michigan. She had 37 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren. Martin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements."