DiscoveryVision Genealogy Project

The Sellars Family Line

According to a family history written by Rose⁴, her father was:

"William³ Raymond Sellars, who was born in Rich Hill Missouri in 1886. His mother's maiden name was Elmina Ralph. I am not sure but I think his grandparents were natives of England, Scotland or Wales. His grandparents are said to be Pennsylvania Dutch. (Supposedly, the Sellars lineage is descended from a Henry Sellars, a 13th century resident of Warwickshire, England. The name of "Sellars" had two sources, which were combined in the present name spelling. In some cases the surname was from "cellerier," a term for the keeper of a castle's food and wine storage cellars; in other cases the source was "Sellier" for saddle maker). My dad was a mild mannered quiet person. He worked hard as a carpenter, and he built many beautiful fine homes still standing and still attractive in Spokane. His carpenter contractor identity lasted throughout his life."

There are many records showing the SELLARS/ERS family roots go back to early colonial times in Pennsylvania. Many of these early SELLARS migrated from Pennsylvania to Virgina and then eventually farther West into Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. Some probably also migrated directly from Pennsylvania into Kentucky and Ohio. Some are thought to have been of German origin (ZELLER) and others are thought to have been of "natives of England, Scotland or Wales" as Rose⁴ wrote.

In this particular family line, our earliest traceable SELLARS ancestor was Rose's great-grandfather William¹ SELLARS. At this point, we can not be 100% sure about when or where he was born. The most likely answer is that he was born about 1817 in Ohio. However, his marriage record from 1841 suggests that he may have been born in Kentucky as late as 1824. On the other hand, the 1850 and 1860 census records for Montgomery County, Indiana, both lead us to believe that he was born about 1817 in Ohio.

We also don't know who William¹ SELLARS parents or siblings were. In looking at old census records from the mid 1800's, we find several spelling variations for the SELLARS name that are interchangeable. These spelling variations are SELLAR, SELLARS, SELLERS, and SELLER. The 1850 census for Union Township, Montgomery County, Indiana, shows three SELLARS/ERS families. Because of their close proxcimity, and the ages of the various individuals, it is very possible that they are all related.

William¹ SELLARS born about 1817 in Ohio. On May 27, 1841 he married JEMIMA JANE⁵ MCGILLIARD (known as Jane) who was born May 9, 1824 in Montgomery County, Indiana. Her family had originally come to Indiana in about 1830. William worked as a carpenter. The 1850 census for Union Township (Crawfordsville), Indiana, shows three sons and the 1860 census adds the fourth son, Isaac. Also, Jane does not show up on the 1860 census, so we can assume she died between 1851 and 1860.

The children of William¹ SELLARS and Jane McGILLARD were:

James² S. SELLARS, born October 24, 1843 in Indiana and died ????. During the Civil War, James enlisted Aug. 9, 1862 and served with B Company, 72nd Inf. Reg. Indiana. According to the book, "Genealogy of Andreas Gaar (born 1657) published in 1894," James married Julia Cynchonia Swann on March 25, 1866. Together, they had the following seven children:

Walter³ Milton b. May 21, 1867 d. Apr 25, 1886
Frank³ Gregg June 14, 1871 m. Ida May Goff on May 8, 1893 in Clinton County, Indiana.
Jessie³ Gertrude b. December 8, 1873
Ethel³ June b. March 11, 1876
Catharine³ Isabella b. June 18, 1881
James³ Frederick b. June 6, 1883
Charles³ Newton b. March 8, 1885

John² D. SELLARS was born August 20, 1846 in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana. He married Elimia RALPH (born January 1, 1858 in Mechanicsburg, Boone County, Indiana). Based on the age of their oldest known son, they were probably married in 1875 or earlier. John enlisted in the Union Army a few days before his 17th birthday on Aug. 17, 1863 and served first with I Company, 116th Inf. Reg. Indiana. The Civil War records also indicate the family may have moved north into Clinton County by 1863 as John's records indicate he was living in the town of Mulberry when he enlisted. These same records show that he also served with his brother James² in B Company, 72nd Inf. Reg. Indiana. John died eight years after his wife, on July 10, 1915 at the Soldiers Home (where he had lived for the last four years of his life) in Orting, Pierce County, Washington. He was 69 years old at the time.

William² SELLARS, born about 1848 in Indiana. Civil war records indicate William enlisted on October 19, 1864 and served with H Company, 87th Inf. Reg. Indiana. William died sometime after 1925 -- probably in California. I beleive he may have lived in San Francisco or Long Beach.

Isaac² SELLARS, Born about 1861 in Indiana (added per the 1860 census)

John² David Sellars (William¹) was born on August 20, 1846 in Crawfordsville, Indiana and died July 10, 1915 at the Soldiers Home in Orting, Pierce County, Washington. He was 69 years old at the time. On Aug. 17, 1863, a few days before his 17th birthday, John² enlisted in the Union Army to fight as a Private in the Civil War. He served first with I Company of the 116th Infantry Regiment. Muster records for the 116th Inf. Reg. indicate he was from Mulberry, Clinton County, Indiana at the time of his enlistment. Records also show that the 116th Regiment was mustered out about 6 months after it was formed on March 2, 1864. It's probably after this that John² joined his older brother James in B Company, 72nd Inf. Reg. Indiana. The 72nd Inf. Reg. was mustered out on June 26, 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee

Sometime between 1865 and 1875, John² married Elmina RALPH. Elmina was born January 7, 1858 in Mechanicsburg, Indiana (about thirty miles from Crawfordsville in Hamilton County). Elmina passed away on April 8, 1907 in Walla Walla, Washington. She is buried there in the Mountain View cemetery next to her daughter-in-law Matilda (wife of her youngest son William). There is also a stone there for John², however he is buried at the Soldiers Cemetery in Orting, Washington.

Together, John² D. Sellars and Elmina Ralph had nine children; four boys and five girls. Two of the children died when they were just over one year old. For the first few years of their marriage, John² and Elmina remained in Indiana, however by 1881, they had taken their family to Rich Hill Missouri where they remained for about ten years. Sometime between 1890 and 1892, they returned to Indiana where their two youngest children where born. Then, in about 1898, the family moved from Indiana to Washington State. The 1900 census indicates that the whole family was living 9 N. Spokane Street in Walla Walla Washington, and that John Sr., John Jr. (Dave), and Frank all worked as carpenters. William also became a carpenter and stayed with the occupation throughout his life. The children of John and Elmina were as follows:

John³ David Sellars, Jr. (Dave) - born September 5, 1876 in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and died on April 24, 1945. Dave first came to Washington state in 1898, living first in the town of Pomeroy and then settling at Ritzville in 1902. By the following year (1903), Dave married Maude Johnson (who survived him). Maude and Dave had no children. Dave rests in section 4, block 17, lot 10 of the the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Besides his widow, he was survived by one brother, W.R. Sellars of Spokane, and three sisters, Mrs. Maybelle Breeden and Mrs. June McBride of San Francisco, California, and Mrs. Rachel Smith of Bakersfield, California. (click here to read Dave's Obituary)

Franklin³ Corwin Sellars (Frank) - born August 14, 1878 in Terre Haute, Indiana, and died on December 7, 1940. Frank also came to Washington in 1898 at which time he enlisted in the Army to serve in the Spanish-American War. He came to Ritzville in 1902 and has lived there almost continuously until his death. In 1905, he married Margaret Schafer who was born July 1881 and died on October 3, 1922. Margaret is buried in section 2, block 30, lot 10 of the Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Two years after Margaret's death, Frank married Mrs. Lena Kautz who survived him. Besides his widow, he was also survived by three daughters, Mrs. Rachel Thom, Ritzville; Mrs. Howard Wood, Spokane and Mrs. I.W. Johnson, Seattle; two sons, Billy Sellars, Washtucna, and Franklin, Jr., at home; two brothers, J.D., Ritzville, and W.R., Spokane; and three sisters, Mrs. Maybelle Breeden, Bakersfield, Calif.; Mrs. Archie Smith, Bakersfield, Calif.; and Mrs. June McBride, San Francisco, California. (click here to read Frank's obituary)

Maude³ Evelyn Sellars -- born April 20, 1881 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and died August 13, 1928. Maude's married name was Mrs. F.B. Hite. At the time of her death, she was living in Albany, Oregon. (click here to read about Maude's funeral)

Iona³ Pearl Sellars, -- born July 23, 1882 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and died as a baby at age one year, one month, twelve days on September, 5, 1883.

Raymond³ Sellars -- born July 6, 1884 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and died as a baby at age one year, twenty-seven days on August 3, 1885.

William³ Raymond Sellars -- born July 24, 1886 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and died October 15, 1965 in Spokane, Washington.

May Bell³ Sellars (Maybelle) -- born May 23, 1889/90 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and died November 15, 1958 in San Francisco, California. Her married name in 1945 was Maybelle Breeden and she was living in San Francisco or perhaps Bakersfield, California.

Rachel³ Vida Sellars (Rae) -- born April 27, 1892 in Middletown, Indiana, and died December 20, 1949. Her married name in 1945 was Mrs. Rachel Smith and she was living in Bakersfield, California.

Elmina³ June Sellars (June) -- born June 9, 1894 in Sullivan, Indiana, and died about 1951. Her married name in 1945 was Mrs. June McBride and she was living in San Francisco, California.

This is a good picture (circa 1910-20) of Dave³, Frank³, and Bill³ as young men. And this is a good picture (circa 1920) of the sisters; May³, Rae³, and June³.

Regarding his missing leg, John² Senior's grandson Richard⁴, wrote that his grandfather:

"[Grandpa Sellars] had a ranch near Walla Walla. He would ride the local mixed train to and from the ranch to town for groceries. One night he fell under the train and it cut off his left leg. The train crew thought he was dead and loaded him onto a baggage car, but when the train returned to town, it was found that he had survived."

John Senior's granddaughter Rose⁴, recalled the story of the lost leg somewhat differently. She said "he was most likely drinking with some friends and either passed out on the tracks or was in the way of the train as part of a dare or bet with his friends."

In a letter to me from Rose⁴ (dated August 25, 1989) she recalls memories from her childhood of her father, his brothers and sisters, and a family reunion that occurred March 1925 in Ritzville, Washington:

"My Dad's sister, June was confined to a wheel chair due to arthritis. She and her husband lived in San Francisco, California. She had an aorta implant that helped for a while before she died. His sister Maybelle also lived in California near Long Beach. Her husband was Chef at Yellowstone National Park. They lived there summers. She was very friendly and wore heavy makeup; especially around her eyes. His sister Rae lived with her family in Bakersfield, California. She was a Christian Science practitioner. She didn't believe in illness. She didn't even lie down to die.

His two brothers Frank and Dave both lived in Ritzville where that picture was taken. They were building contractors. It was Frank and his wife who took me in for nine months after Matilda died and until my Dad remarried. I didn't know any of these aunt and uncles very well. I didn't know or ever meet Maude, Iona, or Raymond."

On March 13, 1910, William³ Raymond Sellars (John² D.) married Matilda Lenore Weitz in Walla Walla, Washington. According to her death certificate, Matilda was born February 26, 1889 in Russia. Matilda is buried in the Walla Walla, Mountain View cemetery next to her mother-in-law, Elmina. Her daughter Rose⁴, wrote that Matilda was "born in1890 in Saratov Russia (a large city on the Volga River near the Don Medzica oil fields. She migrated to Eastern Washington with her family when she was about eight years old."

Matilda's father and mother were also both born in Russia. Her father's name was Conrad Weitz and her mother's name was Lenore Mueller (maiden name). For more on the Weitz Family Line, follow this link. Or if you really want to know everything there is to know about the Weitz family, visit Patrice Miller's excellent website devoted to the Weitz family.

According to 1900 census records, Conrad and his wife, Mary Weitz were living at #724 Birch Street, Walla Walla, Washington. I don't know if Mary is also Lenore Mueller, but I assume so. The census records indicate Conrad was 46 at the time, which means he would have been born in 1856. The record also indicates Mary was born October 1856 in Germany. Together, they had four children who were:

August, a son, born August 1884 in Russia.
Conrad, a son, born June 1891 in Russia.
Matilda, a daughter, born February 1892 in Russia.
Fred, a son, born May 1899 in New York.

The above record is contained in the 1900 census records for the Stevens Precinct of Walla Walla County, Washington, Volume 19, E.D. 88, sheet 9, and line 44.

Matilda was a very beautiful woman and with William³ Raymond Sellars, she had three children. Tragically, she died on March 30, 1916; just a few weeks after her third child (Rose⁴) was born. According to the death certificate, her death was a result of "Septicemia following the childbirth." According to a family history written by Rose,

"Mother died from peritonitis caused by inadequate care at the time of my birth. Her physician's name was Dr. C.R. Garrett and he was obviously very inefficient resulting in much trauma, pain and loss. She is said to have suffered a very painful death. She worried during her dying as to what would ever happen to her children. She is also said to have been a very religious person as well as beautiful. She was of medium height with dark brown eyes, olive skin, dark brown hair and small features."

Matilda is now buried next to her mother-in-law, Elmina in the Mountain View Cemetery that is located at 21120 S. Second St. in Walla Walla, Washington. The family plot consists of five graves. They are graves 6 to 10 in Lot 14, Block 16. Only two of the graves are occupied. There is also an incomplete stone there for Elmina's husband John that shows his birth date as 1846 and no date of death. There is also a large tree now growing where one of the graves should be. This tree was probably just a small sapling when Elmina was laid to rest in 1907. This cemetery now contains over 35,000 graves.

Together, William Raymond Sellars and Matilda Lenore Weitz had three children as follows:

Alice⁴ Elmina -- born August 8, 1911 and died 1963. When Alice died, she was only fifty-two. Rose wrote, "Alice had been owner-operator of the Paulsen Medical Hospital (in Spokane) and she was attending a medical meeting in San Francisco when she was stricken with a brain aneurysm. My mom and dad were deeply grieved, as was her daughter, Jackie. They were all in shock, and as I look back, I think I was also. I just couldn't stop to think, I just had to keep going as I had a responsible job along with Estate problems etc. All this was made more perplexing because Alice had no will. Jackie (her daughter) had just turned sixteen."

Richard⁴ William -- born January 19, 1913; died at age 86 on March 13, 1999 in Abilene, Texas.

Rose⁴ May -- born March 5, 1916.

Rose wrote the following about the events, which occurred after her mother's (Matilda Lenore Sellars) death.

"After my mother died I was sent to Ritzville, Washington to live with my aunt and uncle and their two children. This was dad's brother Frank's family, and they took very good care of me and I was lucky to have them. My cousins Rachel and Esther were their children at that time. They later had Louise and Billy. At this time my brother, Dick and sister Alice, were both placed in an orphanage as there was no one else to care for them and my dad was quite helpless in that respect. But nine months later we were all reunited along with my dad and his new wife, our 'New Mother.'

My stepmother, Julia Marie Johnson-Bingham, was born in Waseca, Minnesota. She was married to a John Bingham in 1901. She later divorced him and married my dad in 1916 when I was nine months old. She could have no children of her own and she deeply desired a family, and she often said she was fortunate in having found us. She was very domestic, a very good homemaker, seamstress, and cook. We were lucky as well.

We moved to 2728 East 18th Avenue in Spokane, Washington in 1918. Our new mother was bossy, but a very good mother in numerous ways. She was glad to have us and that meant a lot. So I lived at this address throughout my childhood. We three kids all attended Franklin grade school eight years each and then into Lewis and Clark High School for four years each. I was the last to graduate from high school. That was in 1934. In 1984 (just last year), I attended my Lewis and Clark Fiftieth Reunion. Both schools were near our home in South-side Spokane and I made many life long friends in that area."

William³ Raymond Sellars (John² D.) (born July 24, 1886; died Oct. 15, 1965) and his second wife Julia Marie Johnson Bingham (died Oct. 11, 1967) now rest side by side in the Riverside Park Cemetary which is located at 211 N. Government Way in Spokane Washington. This is a fairly large cemetery (it is now combined with the nearby Greenwood Memorial Terrace) and covers about 188 acres with over 90,000 graves. William and Julia's graves are located in Lot 19 North, Range 25 East, Block 1, Section Poppy.

Copyright©2004 by Doug Meharry. All rights reserved.