David's parents were:
Justus Azel Seeley, b. Nov. 17, 1779 in Litchfield, Litchfield County, CT. and d. Apr. 1, 1859 in Pleasant Grove, Utah County, UT. &
Mehittabil 'Hetty' Bennet(t), b. Oct. 17, 1780 in Orange County, NY. and d. Aug. 2, 1861 in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, UT.

David Seely was the first San Bernardino County Treasurer; San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor 1869-1873; Chairman 1871-1873.
The Seeley Flats area of the San Bernardino Mountains is named for him.

David was born in Canada, farming till he turned 18, making occasional trips with his father, the owner of three sailing vessels. Leaving, arrived in Iowa on the Mississippi River, he built two 100-ton barges. These were used in transferring freight across the rapids for river steamers. He was the pilot for 3 years.
In July of 1846 he started for California and wintered at Council Bluffs. Joining a large party of Mormons, he started for Salt Lake City the next spring, arriving in September.
He remained 'til November 1849, when he joined Pomercy's train via the southern route to the gold fields of California. On the way, their company picked up nine survivors from an ill-fated Death Valley party who were bare-footed and near starvation. Mr.Seely reached San Bernardino in 1850, mining for a while, he then went to San Francisco. He was appointed Captain of 50 wagons of Mormon pioneers coming to San Bernardino.
After going to Los Angeles and then San Francisco he returned to Salt Lake City. After wintering there, he led a train of fifty wagons to Southern California, another 50 wagons were led by Charles Rich, Amasa Lyman and Andrew Lytle under the direction of Jefferson Hunt.

He and his brother James Wellington Seely established a mill in the San Bernardino mountains.
He was the first Stake president of the Mormon Church in the colony. Served on a state-appointed commission with Brown to establish San Bernardino County.

David Seely and Mary Pettit were married on Nov. 18, 1845 in Nashville, Lee County, IA.

David and Mary Seeley's children were;
1. William Seelye, b. Jul. 18, 1846 in Nashville, Lee, IA. and d. Jul. 26, 1846 in Nashville, Lee, IA.
2. John Seelye, b. Jul. 18, 1846 in Nashville, Lee, IA. and d. Jul. 26, 1846 in Nashville, Lee, IA.
3. Mary Abrelia/Abrilla Seely, b. Dec. 25, 1847 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT. and d.
Dec. 17, 1923 in San Bernardino County, CA. Mary marr. John W. Satterwhite
4. David Randolph Seeley Jr., b. Apr. 17, 1850 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, UT. and d. Feb. 11, 1942 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA.. David marr. Mary Elizabeth Tidwell.
5. Emily E Seeley, b. 1852 and d. Nov. 10, 1902. Emily marr. 1) Albert Larue Warren in 1874 and 2) Howard Henry Baker.
6. Caroline Ann 'Carrie' Seely, b. Dec. 8, 1856 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Oct. 14, 1956 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Caroline marr. 1) Thomas Lewis McFarlane and 2) John Henry Barton.
7. Maria(h) Isabel(le) Seely, b. abt. 1858 and d. abt. 1911. She marr. _ Corbet.
8. Celestia Seely, b. Jun. 23, 1860 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. and d. Aug. 9, 1860 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.
9. Walter Edwin Seely, b. Dec. 11, 1862 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Sep. 23, 1908 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA.
10. Joseph Rodman Seely, b. Aug. 17, 1864 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. May 31, 1865 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA.

In the 1850 U. S. census, 31 yr. old David Seeley, a farmer, b. in Upper Canada, was living in Utah, Utah Territory with his
27 yr. old (inferred) wife, Mary Seeley
3 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Mary A Seeley
1 yr. old (inferred) son, David Seeley

In the 1860 U. S. census, 40 yr. old David Seely, a lawyer, b. in Canada, was living in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.with his
38 yr. old (inferred) wife, Mary Seely, b. in NY.
11 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Mary A Seely, b. in Utah Terr.
10 yr. old (inferred) son, David R Seely, b. in Utah Terr.
7 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Emma E Seely, b. in CA.
4 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Caroline Seely, b. in CA.
2 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Maria J Seely, b. in CA.
David's real estate was valued at: $12,000 and his personal estate at $200.

In the 1880 U. S. census, 63 yr. old David Seely, a farmer, sick enough with catarrh so as to be unable to attend to his regular business and duties, b. in Canada, was living at 86 Sixth St. in San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA. with his
58 yr. old wife, Mary Seely, b. in NY.
22 yr. old unmarried daughter, Isabella Seely, b. in CA.

The Daily Courier (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 3, Col. 2
Aug. 16, 1890
Item from: PERSONALS
David L. Seeley and wife will leave next week for a six-months’ trip to Iowa, New York, Canada and other Eastern points, visiting relatives and old familiar spots. Mr. Seeley is an old pioneer of California and this is his first trip East since coming here. He was a pioneer in Iowa, when that State was a territory, and when he returns, the old landmarks of youthful remembrance will have long since been effaced. The Courier joins with hosts of friends in wishing Mr. Seeley and his estimable wife a pleasant trip and safe return to San Bernardino.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 7, Col. 3
Wed., May 25, 1892
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Death of David Seeley, One of The Pioneers
One of the Original Founders of San Bernardino.
SAN BERNARDINO
Yesterday David Seeley, one of the pioneers, died in this city, aged 72 years. He was born in Canada, October 12, 1819. He crossed the plains in 1846, and was one of the committee sent by the Mormons in 1850to establish a colony in that place, and was one of the founders of san Bernardino, as he brought his family with him at that time. When a San Bernardino county was formed in 1853 by the division of Los Angeles county, he, with John Brown Sr., H. G. Sherwood and Isaac Williams, were appointed a committee by the State Legislature to establish precincts and conduct the first county elections. All of the members of this committee have gone before, except John Brown. Mr. Seeley, the first County Treasurer, was for several terms one of the County Supervisors, and had always been active in public enterprises.
He built the first sawmill in the county in the mountains north of this city, urged the building of the first County Courthouse and the large city pavilion.
At the time of his death he was vice-president of the San Bernardino County Society of California Pioneers. His wife, two sons and four daughters survive him. He had been ailing for several years, and during the year last past declined constantly to the end. One of his last requests was that the funeral should be conducted by the Pioneers, and it will take place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock from his late residence, corner of C and Sixth streets.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 7, Col.3
Tue., May 31, 1892
Item from: SAN BERNARDINO BREVITIES
At the last meeting of the Pioneers a tribute of respect was read and filed giving an account of the life and character of the late David Seeley, one of the pioneers of this region.

*Note: Photographs provided by the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society.