Montell Seely family history papers, approximately 1934-2009

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 7950 Series 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains the records of the Robert Seely family, the two books: Seely History and Emery County 1880-1980 both written by Montell Seely. Also included are handwritten notes, numerous research files, biographical sketches, newspapers, and other documents related to family members and the Castle Valley Pageant. Materials date from 1934-2009.

Dates

Creation: approximately 1934-2009

Creator

Seely, Montell, 1934-2008 (creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Donor restricted until 2017; permission to use materials must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services. Donor restricted. See L. Tom Perry Board of Curators for permission.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Montell Seely papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

Montell Seely (1934-2008) was a farmer, rancher, and leader in his community, in Castle Dale, Utah.

Montell Seely was born on February 5, 1934 to Karl A. Seely and Cora Guymon Seely. He was born in Castle Dale, Utah. He grew up in Castle Dale, where he was active in athletics and leadership. He served as the student body president at South Emery High School, where he graduated in 1952. Two years later in 1954 he served a mission in North Carolina until 1956. Seely graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from BYU and during his studies he was a member of the BYU ballroom dance team. On August 27, 1963 he married Kathryn Pincock in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Orangeville for four years, but returned to Provo in 1970. Seely earned a Master's degree in 1972 and worked in the counseling department in Provo High School for three years. Seely was a farmer and rancher, and ran a farm originally homesteaded by his grandfather, Justus Wellington Seely II. He collected wagons and buggies in honor of early pioneers and organized several ward treks. The Castle Valley Pageant, an annual performance honoring the first settlers of the area was organized and written by Seely. He also wrote an Emery County History in 1981 and Seely history books in 1988 and 1996. Seely passed away on August 12, 2008, as the result of an accident while leading a handcart expedition.