Born in Wayne County, New York, on October 1, 1822, and died at Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, November 13, 1896. His parents emigrated west and settled in Oakland County, Michigan, when he was about eight years of age. Thomas Seeley received a good education in the schools and academies of the county in which he resided. Reaching a proper age he taught school for a short time and then went into the Grand River country, where for some time he was engaged with his brother John Seeley, in the lumber business. In the fall of 1849 he went to Washington City, having an appointment under the government. He remained there until the following spring. Afterward he went to the Lake Superior country as an agent for a mining company. He remained there until he came to Guthrie County, locating in Bear Grove Township in the spring of 1853. He was married January 8, 1857, in Guthrie Center by Rev. J. W. Anderson, to Miss May, daughter of Isaac and Rachel Parrish. In 1861, he entered the army in the service of his country. He organized Company C, 4th Iowa infantry, and-served in its command until he was compelled by ill health, in the winter of 1862, to resign and return home. In 1854, he served as surveyor of Guthrie County, and in 1855 was appointed the county judge to fill a vacancy in office of county treasurer. In the fall of 1856, he was elected by the district formed of the counties of Guthrie, Dallas and Polk, to the constitutional convention, and served in that body in forming the present constitution of the state. He was a delegate to the republican national convention, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. He was elected in the fall of 1878 to represent Guthrie County in the lower house of the general assembly, and with honor during the session. Mr. Seeley was one of the original proprietors of the town of Guthrie Center, and was always promoting its interests.