Virginia Rebecca Seevers

  General Notes:

Proud Mahaska, 1843-1900
By Semira Ann Hobbs Phillips
Published by Herald Print., 1900

James Seevers and Rebecca, his wife, had six sons and one daughter. William H., the eldest, was a bright young man; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in an early day. He rose step by step in his profession until he reached a place on the Supreme Bench of Iowa. Three years ago he died, honored and lamented, not only by the whole community in -which he had lived, but by the State. In early life he married Miss Caroline Lee, a young lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and possessing many
noble traits of character. She survives him, and also five of their children, who are prosperous and respected members of society. As one drives about the town of Oskaloosa, ever and anon they pass an elegant home owned and occupied by some member of the Seevers family. I have known the Seeverses in their rude and rustic cabins, and have lived to see many of them living in luxury and elegance; but
whether they dwell in mansion or log cabin, their dignity and self respect has always commanded the respect of their neighbors. The character which riches and honors
do not puff up, nor poverty degrade. Mr. James Seevers' beautiful daughter, Virginia, in
September, 1845, was married to Micajah T. Williams, whom I have before mentioned as the first man I saw in. Oskaloosa. I think they were the handsomest couple I
ever saw. The little frame house where they first went to housekeeping stands there yet, looking small, shabby, and dilapidated; but 1 remember well a time when we young folks all thought it nice indeed. I don't think there were more than half a dozen frame dwelling houses in Oskaloosa when Micajah and Virginia went to housekeeping keeping in that little frame house of two rooms. How sweet and cozy and comfortable that little home looked, with its new rag carpet, and bed so nicely made up with a pretty patch- work quilt and snowy pillows! The little new cooking stove with its bright tin furniture \emdash every piece placed in just what seemed exactly the right place. Talk about "high art." Some of those women who helped to found the town of Oskaloosa, away back in the forties, were artists without knowing it. How plain I can see everything in the unpretentious home of that handsome young couple! though to see it I must look back with the mind's eye over more than half a centery. They lived in that cottage several years, but not without making several small additions to the same, which rendered it what was thought comfortable and convenient in that early day. Their two charming daughters were born in that cottage, but before they became young ladies their parents had purchased and occupied what was at that time one of the most imposing and substantial houses in Oskaloosa. There the daughters, Alice and Beulah Joselle, the pride of their parents and of Oskaloosa, grew to charming, accomplished, and beautiful womanhood. They were daintily brought up, and had every advantage of education by schools and travel, with the inheritance of beauty, grace, and good sense from their
parents. They were not spoiled by high social position and flattering attention.
Alice, when quite young, married Mr. George Bennett, a talented young man of good family. Alice has been a widow many years. George, the husband of her youth, like many another bright young man from Iowa, sleeps his last sleep on the shore of the mighty Pacific. Beulah, their only daughter and only child, is a young lady now and is endowed with a fine mind and many noble traits of character. Beulah Joselle, "Jo," as we
always called her, beautiful, queenly Jo, whose manners were dignified, though kind, gentle, though affable toward all, with never an unkind word for any. A queen among Oskaloosa's many lovely daughters, she married Judge L. C. Blanchard, one of Oskaloosa's most prominent citizens; a statesman, a successful business man
and an honored member of society. Judge Blanchard made for his charming wife an elegant home, but after a few years of happy wedded life that beautiful and peaceful
home was broken into by that relentless reaper who is no respecter of homes nor individuals. The honored, the respected, the idolized Jo was by a weeping multitude
followed to the city of the dead. In that same silent city, under a spreading oak, with a great boulder at their feet, lie side by side, Micajah and Virginia Williams. On that great boulder is chiseled the name, "Micajah T. Williams."

Virginia married Micajah T. Williams, son of Caleb Williams and Sarah Sunderland, on 19 Sep 1845 in Mahaska, Iowa, USA. (Micajah T. Williams was born on 29 May 1820 in Butler Township, Columbiana, Ohio, USA and died on 15 Jan 1884 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska, Iowa, USA.)