Biography extracted from History of Sauk County, Wisconsin Chicago: Western Historical Company, published 1880.

Ironton:

Rev. John Seamans, minister of the Regular Baptist Church and farmer; P.O. Lime Ridge; was born in Ashford, Windham Co. Conn., May 12, 1819; remained in his native county till 19 years of age; in November, 1838, went to Chicago by way of Buffalo and the lakes; took passage on the Steamer Illinois, in company with about 500 others; they were thirteen days making the voyage; while on Lake Michigan they experienced one of the most terrible storms ever seen on those waters; the snow flew with such cutting force that it was almost impossible to stand up against it; the vessel proved seaworthy, and, though looking like a huge iceberg than a steamer, she rode out of the storm in safety. Stopping only a short time in Chicago, he proceeed to Du Page Co., where he and a brother who had preceded him, prepared to make a home; the country not having been surveyed, they marked out a tract of about 320 acres by plowing a furrow around it; the flourishing village of Wheaton now occupies the site of their claim; after a residence of three years in Du Page Co., he went to Genesee Co., N. Y. There he was married, Feb. 16, 1846, to Lucinda Dexter, daughter of Reuben and Sally (Groff) Dexter; they had seven children- Charles L. (deceased), Frederic B. (married to Alina Emery and living in Westfield), John A. (married to Alice Kenworthy, and living in Monona Co., Iowa), Clara M. (deceased), Sarah E., Edwin D. and Ida M. In October, 1846, came to Sauk Co. Wis.; stopped at Loganville during the winter, and in the spring moved to his farm of 80 acres on Sec. 34, Ironton, where he still resides; has been an officer of the school district several years. He was ordained, at Loganville, a minister of the Regular Baptist Church, in July, 1858; during his 22 years' labors as a minister of the Gospel in Sauk Co., he has married seventy couples and preached 160 funeral services.

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