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SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan
        pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879

        Page 301 - 302

 
                           NATHAN W. SELDEN

  Nathan W. Selden was born in Haddam, Conn., Nov. 25, 1810. When he was 
four years old his father moved to Leroy, Genesee Co., N.Y., where Nathan 
grew to manhood, going to school winters and working on the farm summers. 
Arrived at his majority, he started out for himself, with nothing to com- 

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Page 302

mence with but a strong constitution and rectitude of purpose. He worked 
by the month on a farm, and at other times dug wells, thus getting his 
first start by the hardest kind of labor. In 1835 the Western fever was at 
its height, and Mr. Selden with many others determined to seek his fortunes 
in a new country. To think with him was to act; and he came to Michigan and 
bought of the government the east half of the northwest quarter of section 
33, in the town of Mundy. He then returned to New York and stayed one year; 
the following year he returned, and during the winter cleared a small spot 
and commenced a log house, after which he returned again to New York. 

  On the 10th of October, 1838, he led to the altar Miss Harriet K. Dudley, 
a native of Madison, New Haven Co., Conn., and daughter of Phineas and 
Elizabeth A. (Graves) Dudley. Soon after their marriage the young couple 
moved to the farm previously purchased in Mundy, where a partly finished 
log house awaited them. The house was soon completed, and life in the wild-
erness began. There were no roads, and near them no clearings; while white 
neighbors were few and scattering. Yet Mrs. Selden, who proved to be a true 
pioneer wife, says they enjoyed themselves, and she believes those were the 
happiest days of their lives. The Indians were their nearest neighbors, but 
were very friendly, and Mrs. Selden was never afraid of them. Wolves, deer, 
and other game were numerous, but were unmolested by Mr. Selden, as he was 
no hunter. With his accustomed energy he at once commenced to improve his 
place, and soon a well-improved farm, with good buildings, orchards, etc., 
took the place of the forest. And on this farm he passed the remainder of 
his life, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He died May 1, 1869. 
In politics Mr. Selden was in early life a Whig, subsequently a Republican. 
He always took an active interest in political and educational matters, and 
was for many years a school-director. In 1841 he was elected a justice of 
the peace, which office he held until his death, with the exception of four 
years, — an incumbency of twenty-four years. He also served as supervisor of 
his township. Before leaving Leroy, Mr. Selden joined the Presbyterian Church, 
and he continued a member of that society until his death. Two years after 
his final settlement in Michigan the first Presbyterian Church of Mundy was 
organized, Mr. Selden taking an active part in its institution and growth. 
He was one of its first deacons, and filled that office while he lived. There 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Selden eight children, as follows: Phineas C, born
July 17, 1839, died Aug. 1, 1839; John E., born Feb. 12, 1841, died June 24, 
1841; William H., born May 5, 1842; Nathan E., born April 10, 1844; Eliza A., 
born Dec. 12, 1845; Stephen D., born July 18, 1847; Mary E., born April 20, 
1849; and Francis G., born May 16, 1851. 

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