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Submitted: 8/21/09 • Approved: 4/12/12 • Last Updated: 8/6/12 • R226017-G0-S3
1848 - June 5 1924
*Obituary
Rogers Daily Post
Thursday, June 5, 1924
SEAMSTER, Francis Marion - F. Marion Seamster, one of the best known citizens of Benton county and a justice of the peace for over thirty years, died suddenly at his home in Rogers Thursday, June 5, 1924 at the age of 77 years. Death is said to have been caused by heart failure. Mr. Seamster was apparently in good health that morning. Just before noon he came into the house and fell to the floor, dying shortly afterwards. Funeral services were held at Tuck's Chapel, west of Avoca, Saturday afternoon where he had preached for many years. Rev. Stephen Morton preached the funeral while the Masonic services were conducted by George Miser of Bestwater and R.F. Renfro of Avoca, two old members of that organization, with which Mr. Seamster had been connected for over 50 years. The attendance at the funeral was one of the largest ever gathered in this section. Francis Marion Seamster was born in Lancaster, Mo. in 1847. When a young man he moved to McDonald county, Mo. where he taught school and was county superintendent, a position he held for a number of years. Dr. W.D. Foster of Gravette, who taught school when a young man, received his first license to teach from Mr. Seamster. It was while following this occupation that he met Miss Amanda Dunagin, the daughter of Rev. Jasper Dunagin, a well known preacher in the early days who homesteaded the land where the town of Avoca now stands. The two were married in 1872 and located on a farm just west of the Dunagin farm. Five children were born to this union, all of whom survive him. These are John Seamster of Rogers; Robert Seamster of Osawatomie, Kansas; George Seamster of Wichita, Kansas; Mrs. Cora Snodgrass of Pineville, Mo. and Mrs. Carrie Massey of Kansas City. Also four brothers, Dr. Lee Seamster, Mineral Wells, Texas; B. Seamster, Afton, Okla.; B. Seamster, Caverna, Mo. and M.L. Isaiah Seamster, Hiwasse and two sisters, Mrs. Amanda Campbell of Bentonville and Mrs. John Headrick of Kansas City. Also one half sister, Mrs. James Jamison of Phelps City, Mo. Mrs. Seamster died in 1899. She was a sister of John R. Dunagin of Gravette. Later he married Miss Mollie Allred, who survives him. Mason, a son of this marriage, lives in Kansas City but was unable to come to the funeral. Three small children and the widow survive the husband and father. Mr. Seamster, while being a substantial farmer, also devoted quite a little time to preaching. He was one of the pioneer berry growers in Benton county and lived to see this industry grow until whole train loads of strawberries were shipped from this section annually. In 1907 he was elected to the state legislature where he served with great credit to his county. He also served as a justice of the peace for 30 years and always took a prominent part in the work of the levying court and could always be found on the progressive side of every measure. In his passing Benton county has lost one of its worthy citizens and noble men.
Contributed on 8/21/09 by wfields55
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Record #: 226017