Edwin Chidsey Seymour, Sheriff of San Bernardino County, was born in Otsego County, New York, in 1845. His father, also a native of the Empire State, was a cabinet-maker by trade, and moved to northern Pennsylvania when Edwin was a lad of seven years. Here he grew up to manhood and learned the trade of cabinet-maker with his father.
Upon the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he responded to his country’s call, entering the army as a member of the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, and remained four years and nearly three months, chiefly in the Army of the James, closing his service with the campaign of North Carolina and the surrender of the Johnston army.
Returning home, he engaged in the lumber and milling business in western New York, which, together with contracting and building, has been his principal occupation ever since. Since 1881 Mr. Seymour was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Chemung County, New York, and resigned the office the following year and came to California, chiefly on account of his wife’s health. Settling first in Riverside, he erected a large number of buildings that year in that charming place. In March 1883, he removed to San Bernardino and has been a resident of the city since that time.
He served as deputy sheriff under Captain Gill in 1884-’85, and in the fall of 1888 was elected Sheriff of San Bernardino County, beating one of the most popular Democrats in the county. Sheriff Seymour has demonstrated his eminent fitness for the position by the enviable record he has made since assuming the duties of the office, and which has won for him the hearty commendations of the people of the county regardless of political affiliations.
In politics Mr. Seymour is an active and zealous Republican, ever ready to advocate and defend, the principles of the party. He is also prominently identified with fraternal organizations. Having joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows as a member of Genesee Lodge in Rochester, New York, in 1868, he passed all the chairs in the local lodge and was a member of the Grand Lodge in 1870; is a member of Token Lodge, No. 146, and of Morse Encampment; also San Bernardino Canton of Patriarchs Militant. He is a member and has been Commander of Corn-man Post, No. 57, Grand Army of the Republic, and is now Inspector of the Seventh District; is a member of Meridian Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a Select Knight of San Bernardino Legion in that order.
He is one of the organizers of the San Bernardino Loan and Building Association, and is serving in his third term as its president, being elected without a dissenting vote. He is president of the Valley Land and Water Association, a director in the San Bernardino Fruit Packing Company, and in the “Fines Index Publishing Company.” Mr. Seymour is quite extensively interested in orange and raisin grape culture in Etiwanda.
In June 1866, just prior to his twenty-first birthday, Mr. Seymour was joined in marriage with Martha M. Goddard, a New York lady. Four children, two of each sex, constitute their family.