# The strange dead people of my family. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201 "2000-11-29T15:49:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/1 "2000-11-29T15:49:28Z")
Fort Wayne, Indiana, Journal-Gazette June 9, 1929 **ORA SEANEY DIES** _Fort Wayne Man Had Been Ill Of Paralysis Past Year_ > [@](#): > > Ora Seaney, 61, died Friday night at the Old People’s Home at Avilla. He had been ill of paralysis for the past year. Mr. Seaney was born in Ridgeville, Jay County, but was a resident of Fort Wayne most of his life. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. For many years Mr. Seaney was widely known as a fashion interpreter. Early in his life acquired the professional name of “C’ne” and in many fashion circles throughout the country, including New York City, created and exhibited feminine fashions and styles. For several years he conducted a ladies’ wear and millinery store on Calhoun Street between Jefferson and Lewis streets. He afterward located in New York where he was engaged as ladies’ wear style originator. > > Ora wrote, at age twenty (1890), a book entitled _The Art Of Millinery, Embracing a Full Description Of The Latest Styles of Trimming, Making And Designing, Together With Recipes And Fashion Notes_. Later in his life, Ora went on to write _Colors and Color Combinations_ and _Special Purpose Millinery_. Now, here’s the story of the very odd death of Ora’s brother-in-law, Judson K. Ross. Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette July 24, 1919 **JUDSON K. ROSS CUTS THROAT WHILE SHAVING** _Dies At Hospital From Loss Of Blood; Family Says Not A Suicide_ > [@](#): > > Judson K. Ross, aged 55, 1115 Lake Avenue, died at 10 o’clock yesterday morning at the Hope Methodist Hospital from a self inflicted wound in the throat. The wound was inflicted with a straight edge razor, the blade passing entirely through the trachea. He lived an hour after the wound was inflicted and his weakened condition due to a prolonged period of illness contributed to his death. > > Members of the family refuse to entertain the belief that Mr. Ross inflicted the wound with suicidal intent. He had been in feeble health for a number of years, his illness manifesting itself in extreme nervousness or a fainting spell and caused him to cut himself. Mr. Ross had just finished shaving himself in the kitchen when the accident happened. He walked into the backyard where he fell to the ground. Neighbors were called and Dr. E. H. Kruse, the family physician was also sent for at once. > > Mr. Ross had been a sufferer from kidney trouble and went to St. Joseph’s hospital this week to remain under treatment and observation for a month. He decided to leave the hospital, however, and had an appointment with his physician to discuss his case sometime yesterday. While he had been despondent for some time because of his poor health he had never been heard to make any statements indicating that he might take his own life. This story was a second page headline. The front page carried a story about a local boy winning the state marble-shooting championship. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/2 "2000-11-29T15:56:34Z")
That’s fantastic stuff! My mother keeps extensive archives as well. Maybe I oughta browse in them sometime. I’m pretty sure I can come up with some gems, knowing the nuttiness of some of my family members. Hell, I’ll probably have an uncle who won the province marble championships at the same day some poor bastard cut his throat shaving 😃 ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/3 "2000-11-29T16:06:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > **For many years Mr. Seaney was widely known as a fashion interpreter.** And what exactly does a fashion interpreter do? “that gown is lovely, it must mean 6 more weeks of winter” ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/4 "2000-11-29T16:19:18Z")
xizor - I was wondering the same thing! Hey Unc - do you like this sweater I’m wearing? Is the color good for me? (What the hell - might as well ask - maybe it runs in the family…) ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/5 "2000-11-29T16:39:30Z")
My grandma is from Kentucky (see thread on dinner vs. supper) and has an interesting story… Seems her uncle was the leader of some reeeal fundamentalist religious group (cult?)a la David Koresh. Seems he and a group were praying for about a week at his mom’s house, when he and a parishoner began arguing about the powers God had given them. Seems that the best way to settle this was a good old fashion prayer “shoot-out”. Hmmmm… what is the penultimate prayer/power? Ooooh! Ooooh! I know! Resurrection of the dead! Hmmmm… Nobody seems to be dead right now. Hey, mom, can you come here for a moment? That’s right, kiddies, he killed his mother (strangled with a chain) and then he and fellow parishoner prayed over her for a day. Apparently, the other dude knew he had been licked 'cause he left after the first day. Yippee, Grandma’s uncle had “won”. Now, uncle has a bit of a problem, what with mom dead (whoever will cook the vittles) and some police “hanging around”. In another stroke of genius, he decides to hold ploice at bay with firearms until he can finish praying dear mommy back to life. After three days, he gave up and was arrested without incident. I was saving this story for then Spritle Jr. was older, but I figured I’d share it with y’all. Religiously, Spritle ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/6 "2000-11-29T16:51:20Z")
George Ingraham Seney (my family is also spelled Seaney, Seeney, Sena and Seeny) was a sixth generation Seney of Eastern Shore Maryland. Following is his obituary from the front page of the New York Times in 1893. Educated at Wesleyan and the University of the City of New York. After graduating in 1846 he was employed in a Brooklyn bank. Later he joined the Gallatin Bank (family related to his grandmother) and the Bank of North America in New York City. Became Paying Teller in 1853 at the Metropolitan Bank and within 4 years was Cashier. Thereafter retained a place of prominence in New York financial circles for more than a quarter of a century. In the late 1870s was promoted to President of the bank. Took an important part in railroad financing and construction. In furthering this enterprise he built a reputation as a conservative banker. Unfortunately he began to resort to “stock watering” and other reckless banking methods. By 1884 this corrupt practice led to near ruin and in May of that year the bank was forced to close its doors. George at once resigned his presidency and transferred to the bank property valued at $1,500,000. This included his costly residence in Brooklyn and a large art collection. The bank reopened for several months and repaid all their depositors in full. Fortunately he was able to hold on to a large part of his personal estate. At his highest, and lowest, incomes he was always known for his generous donations. Even when his yearly income was less than $5,000 he still gave away $1,000. While serving as a Trustee at Wesleyan University he gave more than $500,000 in donations. And at Emory University (near Atlanta, Georgia) he erected a building in his name and gave an additional $100,000. In the four years leading up to the closing of the bank he gave $410,000 to the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. George was an avid art collector and gave paintings and gifts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His art collection was sold for over $200,000 when the bank was closed to repay the depositors. He was able to eventually repurchase at auctions some of his favorite pieces later. In 1890 he headed the list of contributors for the erection of the Washington Memorial Arch. George’s father was Robert Seney a Methodist preacher in New York City and a Columbia graduate in the early 1800s. His grandfather, Joshua, was a member of the Continental Congress and the first congress that met under the Constitution. His grandmother was Frances Nicholson whose father was Commodore of the Navy during the Revolutionary War and related to Albert Gallatin the Secretary of the Treasury under Thomas Jefferson. And if you look on a map of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan you will see the town of Seney and the Seney National Forrest. This town was named after George when his bank ran a logging operation there. And just for fun … > **[NorthQuest.com is available at DomainMarket.com](https://www.domainmarket.com/buynow/northquest.com)** > > Domain for Sale. NorthQuest.com. Request Price. What Are the > Advantages of a Super Premium .Com Domain? Increased Traffic. Search Engine Ranking. Brand Recognition. > Immediate Presence. Higher Profits. Great Investment. #1 in Premium Domains. 300,000... ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/7 "2000-11-29T17:06:09Z")
Where did you find all this information UncleBeer? Is it from stuff you have at home or did you find it online? ---
**Author:** ![Inky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7feea3/32.png) [@Inky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inky_1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/8 "2000-11-29T17:06:29Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > [BOra wrote, at age twenty (1890), a book entitled The Art Of Millinery, Embracing a Full Description Of The Latest Styles of Trimming, Making And Designing, Together With Recipes And Fashion Notes. Later in his life, Ora went on to write Colors and Color Combinations and Special Purpose Millinery._\* Crap! There goes my chance at getting my copies signed… ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/9 "2000-11-29T17:27:58Z")
Where did I get this? Some distant relation of mine is a genealogy maven. He issues a monthly newsletter to those of us who’ve subscribed after stumbling across his website. Just yesterday he sent me a bunch of back issues. [http://hometown.aol.com/DL7715/index.html](http://hometown.aol.com/DL7715/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/10 "2000-11-29T18:53:24Z")
Neat stuff, Unc! My mom is the historian in our family. Supposedly I’m related to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a bunch of other cool people. ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/11 "2000-11-29T19:34:41Z")
actually, my maternal GF’s most notable thing was going out on vacation, getting stewed, and missing the boat back to NY. The Titanic. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bc8723/32.png) [@Dark\_Lord\_Davidson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Lord_Davidson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2000, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/12 "2000-11-29T19:46:01Z")
“my maternal GF’s” Would you mind explaining to me what a “maternal GF” is? Are you dating your mother?? _ducks and runs_ ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2000, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/13 "2000-11-30T04:32:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lord Davidson \* > \*\*“my maternal GF’s” > > Would you mind explaining to me what a “maternal GF” is? > > Are you dating your mother?? > > _ducks and runs_ \*\* Sorry, talking about the dead and the thought the timeframe would make it apparent. Maternal grandfather. ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Fiat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2000, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/14 "2000-11-30T07:21:12Z")
> [@](#): > > And what exactly does a fashion interpreter do? “that gown is lovely, it must mean 6 more weeks of winter” This reminded me of the people who predict how the stock market will do by what tie Alan Greenspan is wearing when he goes to Fed meetings. “Ooooo! He’s wearing the blue one with the wagon wheels! Interest rates are going up!” ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2000, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/15 "2000-11-30T08:07:13Z")
A few years ago one of my uncles (on my mother’s side) started reseaching the family’s history and took a trip to the little village in Germany great-great-great granpa whozit lived in before he came to the US. When he went to the town hall and told them what he was researching, the employees were very helpful. As he looked through birth and death records, the following conversation happened: Employee: “We’re sorry we don’t have more information, but our records only go back to 1680.” Uncle: “Is that when you started keeping records?” Employee: “No, that was the year your ancestor, the town baker, burned down the entire village.” Uncle: “Oh.” Still, there didn’t seem to be any hard feelings. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2000, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-dead-people-of-my-family/43201/16 "2000-11-30T10:01:52Z")
One of my ancestors was Isabella Towle, one of three women imprisoned on suspicion of witchcraft in Hampton, N.H., in 1680, when she was about 47 years old. I believe they were the only 3 people ever arrested for witchcraft in N.H. The information I have says that they spent about a year in prison and when released, were told to go live somwhere else. I think she and her family moved to Rye, N.H., for a while and then back to Hampton, where she died in 1719. Another of my ancestors was Peregrin White, who was born on the _Mayflower_ as it lay in Provincetown Harbor in Massachusetts.