William Johnson Selsor
To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected, even from childhood, deserves special commendation. The late William Kohnson Selsor was such a man and was honored and well known throughout this county as a highly respected and esteemed citizen, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each dau having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with liis fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public. He retained his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his community was most potent and he will long be missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like a beneficent ray of sunshine.
The late William Johnson Selsor was born in Madison county. Ohio. August 20. 1834, and died in Fayette county. May 6, 1908. He was one of six children born to Frederick and Mary (Rankin) Selsor who grew to maturity, the other children being Elizabeth, Margaret, Susanna, John and Mary.
Frederick Selsor and his wife were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Madison county, Ohio, where they lived until the death of Mrs. Selsor, when Frederick Selsor came to Fayette county, and bought a farm in Paint township, where he lived until his death at the age of eighty-six, in 1886, his birth having occurred on the 1st day of January, 1800. At the time of his death he was the owner of one thousand acres of land in Fayette county and nine hundred acres in Madison county, this state, and was probably the wealthiest farmer of the county. Before his death he divided his large estate among his children.
William J. Selsor was reared on his father's farm in Madison county, and came with his parents to Fayette county in 1862, where he lived until his death. Upon reaching his majority he began farming for himself and became recognized as one of the most extensive cattle breeders of the county, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle. He exhibited his stock frequently at the fairs and was a winner of numerous prizes. From time to time he added to the farm which was given him by his father until at one time he owned about one thousand acres of land in this country. The farm on which he lived was located on the Danville pike, and here he erected a fine country home and other buildings to correspond, making the farm one of the most attractive in this section of the state.
Mr. Selsor was married April 21, 1870, to Electa J. Morris, the daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris, and to this union four daughters were born, Idella, Edna Dean, Florence Ethel and Ercell Morris. Idella married W. W. Fenner and lives in Washington C. H. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner have four children, Edna Lucile. Gladys Dean, William Selsor and Jane Louise. Edna Dean died at the age of eighteen, Florence Ethel married Harrison F. Brown and has two children, Mary Elizabeth and William Selsor; Ercell Morris, deceased, was the wife of Forrest W. Cline and the mother of two children, Helen Lucile and Ercell Marie. The mother died at the birth of the last daughter.
Mrs. Selsor was born in Paint township, near the Madison county line, March 13, 1841. She lived in that neighborhood for sixty-seven years and for the past six years has lived in Washington C. H. on East Court street. Mrs. Selsor's father, Samuel Morris, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, and her mother in Jackson county, this state. Samuel Morris and wife were early settlers of Fayette county, where they lived all their lives, his death occurring in 1868 at the age of sixty-three, and she in 1890, at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a family of eight children, Daniel G., Samuel R., John E., Electa J., William W., Martin W., Amanda E. and Elma E. Samuel Morris was an extensive farmer and sheep grower, and during one year of the Civil War he sheared two thousand sheep and sold the wool for a dollar a pound. Samuel Morris was the son of John and Elizabeth (Tway) Morris, natives of New Jersey and early pioneers of Madison and later Fayette counties, Ohio, both dying in the latter county. John Morris and wife reared a large family of children, William, Cynthia, Calvin. Jane, Elizabeth, Samuel, Letha, Caroline and Sarah. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Selsor were William and Elizabeth (Stinson) Groves, natives of Pennsvlvania and early settlers in Jackson county, where they lived for some years. Later they removed to Indiana and located near Warsaw, where they died. William Groves and wife were the parents of eight children, Daniel, Melinda, Mary, Lydia, Dorcas, Phoebe, Elizabeth and Eliza.
Mr. Selsor was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and in the welfare of their favorite church they were always deeply interested. Mr. Selsor flled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. That he did his part nobly and well cannot be gainsaid and though he has passed away he yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, will always prize as a grateful heritage.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)