David Washington See (abt. 1854 - 1893)

Born about 28 Aug 1854 in California

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Belle (McCloskey) See — married 29 Oct 1879 in Cass Co, IN

Descendants

Died 26 Jul 1893 at about age 38 in Benton Co, IA

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Research and Commentary by Sara Stevens Patton

David Washington See was the eldest child of David and Mary See. He was born a gold mining camp in Eldorado, California on 28 Aug 1854-- two years after his parents and aunt and uncle traveled across the country in a covered wagon during the California Gold Rush. The families remained in California for several years, returning to Indiana via ship, crossing overland at the Isthmus of Panama, then up the east coast on another ship and overland back to Indiana.

Although his parents named him David Washington See, he was known as “General” from the time he was two years old, the nickname given to him by the sailors on the ship back to east. As his mother told the story: "She said she had David a son. He was a little fellow & Grandma said she had a bad time trying to keep track of Him. She said The Officers (on the ship) all fell in love with Him & they would come & get Him, & when they brot Him back They would have an officers hat on Him & they would salute Him & call Him General See. He got awful sick on the boat & Grandma thought she wouldent save Him. One day an old negro woman a cook came & wanted Grandma [to] let her try to do some thing for Him so she did & what ever she did helped Him. From then on till he died He was known by General See."

David grew up on his father's farm in Cass Co, Indiana, the eldest of 15 children, not counting his adopted sister, a year older. When he was 25, he married 24 year old Meg McCloskey and the couple moved to Iowa soon after their wedding. The couple settled on a farm in Bruce Township, Benton County. His parents and siblings followed shortly after, settling nearby.

The couple had five children, all born on the farm in Benton county: three boys and two girls--Guy, Ray, Amy, Orrie or “Pete”, and Olga.

David "General" See died in 1893 at age 39 when he fell off a hay wagon, leaving behind his young widow and 5 small children, the oldest 12, the youngest only 10 days old. He is buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery. His niece Helen Rogers Raitt later wrote "General See died near Mt. Auburn. They had a farm a short distance from Mt. Auburn.... The old house is gone. Aunt Maggie his wife was left with all the children real small. He fell from a wad of hay.”

His younger brother Charles See told a story that General had been to a county fair and had a gypsy read his fortune. She told him he was going to die soon. And his sister, Lina Unger awoke early in the morning and said, "We have to get out to the farm, something has happened to General". He had, of course, fallen off the hay wagon and didn't live long after the fall. Marie Jean Unger claimed that "many" of the See women were psychic."

Obituary--"Vinton Eagle" Aug. 8, 1893 8, 189in "Vinton Eagle" obituary Aug. 8, 1893ton Eagle" obituary Aug. 8, 1893 “David Washington See (familiarly known as Gen See of Bruce township) died Wednesday morning. July 26, 1893. His death was the immediate result of an accident received Friday morning, July 21st. He went out to unload hay, in stepping back to avoid the fork the hay slipped and he was thrown backwards striking on his neck, causing paralysis of almost the whole body. The best of medical attendance was called, but to no avail, he lived but five days. He was conscious during the entire time.

“The deceased was born in Placer county, California, Aug 28, 1854. When was two years of age his parents moved back to near Logansport, Indiana. Here he grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Maggie McClosky near Logansport in December (sic-October), 1879, and immediately removed to Bruce township, where he resided until his death. He leaves a wife and five children (one a babe 10 days old) to mourn his untimely death.

“The funeral occurred the day of his death owning to the rapid decomposition of the body. The services were conducted by Rev. Swearegen. The body was interred in Mt. Auburn cemetery. The deceased was a man well respected in his community, industrious and upright. Of very domestic habits he was kindness and love itself to his family. They have the deep sympathy of the community in their great bereavement. “His sister and brother from O'Brien county, Mrs. Hamilton and James See, and her brother Frank McClosky, of Indiana were present.

“Mrs. See wished to return her deep gratitude to her neighbors for their untiring attention and kindness."

A few months later, another newspaper article reported an upcoming auction of the farm "of David See, near Gillispie". Meg had to sell everything as she was in financial straits after his death." (La Porte City Progress Review: Feb 10 1894.)

Meg never remarried but remained close to her See in-laws. She died the 26th of February 1933 and is buried next to her husband in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Benton Co, IA.

DOCUMETATION
1870 Cass Co, IN census - David age 15 b. IN (1854-55) with parents, at school

1880 Benton Co, Bruce Twp, IA p. 16 (111D) #118/122 23 June
See, David -25 Calif. farmer father b. VA; mother b. IN
", Margaret -19 IN wife parents b. OH

1885 Iowa State census records, Benton Co, Bruce Twp. p.98 lines 8-11.
SEE, David W. - 30, b. Calif; farmer
", Margaret, - 29, b. Ind.
", Guy, - 3, b. Iowa
", Ray, - 0, b. Iowa

1889, March 1: John Treanor to D.W. SEE Lease of NE/4 and west 60 acres of SE/4 of 20-86-12 [Benton Co, IA Deed Bk 54:500]

1889, March 9: John Treanor to D.W. SEE Lease of NE/4 and west 60 acres of SE/4 of 20-86-12 [Benton Co, IA Deed Bk 54:520]

It appears that General always lived in Benton Co. after moving to IA, though rest of family moved to OBrien Co for a few years.

1895, Feb 15: Jonathon Nelson sells to Margaret See E/2 of SE/4 26-86-11" [Benton Co, IA Deed Bk 58:552]

1900 Cedar Twp, Benton co, Iowa June 1, 1900
SEE, Mrs. Maggie, head of house. born April 1855, IN age 45, widow
Son Guy -18, born Iowa Jan 1882, single, farm laborer.
Son Ray, -15, born Sept1884 Iowa
Daughter Amy, -12, born Oct 1887 Iowa
Son, Ora - 9, born July 1890
Daughter Ola - 6, born July 1893

1900, July 14: Maggie SEE, Guardian (of heirs of General See) sells to H. C. UNGER NE/4 of SE/4 and N/2 of SE/4 of SE/4 and E/2 of NW/4 22-86-12 [Benton Co, IA Deed Bk 69:266] Other See siblings also sold their claims to David See Sr's land to Henry and Lina See Unger.

1910 Benton Co, Cedar Twp, IA Apr 27 p. #45/45 (not far from William Faris and Will See is General's widow-and look whose living with her! William Barnett, son of Elizabeth See and John W. Barnett, the first of David See Sr.'s kids to come to IA)
See, Maggie B. widow -55 IN OH 6 children, 5 living manager farm
", Amy A. dau -22 IA Calif IN single school teacher
", Ora son -19 IA Calif IN single laborer
", Ola M. dau -16 IA Calif IN "Mona"???
Barnett, William J."friend" -68 IN OH IN Divorced farm labor working out(her husband's cousin)OH

1920 Benton Co, Cedar Twp, IA #46
SEE, Margaret -64 Wd IN OH OH
" Ora M.son -29 IA CA IN
" Ella dau-in-law -28 IL Germ Germ l
" Eleanor - 2&2mos IL granddau
Wm Barnett-cousin -77 single IN OH IN (son of Elizabeth and John Barnett-b. 1843)