An article on page 2, column 3, of the February 11, 1943, Lowell Tribune listed Pvt. Seth D. McLellan as going to Camp Toccooa, Ga., for his basic training.
This March 25, 1943, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4, column 1:
Transferred to S. Carolina Camp
Pvts. Seth McLellan and Robert Brownell, with the U.S. infantry, have been transferred from Camp Toccoa, Ga., to Ft. Jackson, S.C. They are six miles out from Columbia, the capital of the state. This is an older camp and the boys like it much better than Camp Toccoa.
This January 6, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Cpl. and Mrs. William McLellan, Jr., and Mrs. Ethel McLellan visited their brother and son, Seth McLellan, an aviation cadet, studying at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., last week-end. They report Seth feeling fine and enjoying his work.
This February 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
A/C Seth McLellan, who is taking pre-flight studies at Beloit, Wis., was home over the week-end visiting his mother, Mrs. Wm. McLellan, Sr., and other relatives and friends.
This March 16, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
Seth McLellan, aviation student, at Beloit, Wis., was home over the week-end with his mother, Mrs. Wm. McLellan, Sr.
Thi April 13, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 4, column 1:
Seth McLellan, A.S., and a friend, both of whom just completed their pre-flight training at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis., visited Seth's mother, Mrs. Wm. McClellan, Sr., over the week-end.
This April 20, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 3:
Seth McLellan, A.S., who has been taking pre-flight training at Beloit college, Beloit, Wis., was home over the week-end with his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr.
This May 25, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Here from Camp McCoy, Wis.
S/Sgt. John Eskridge, stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis., spent from Friday until Monday here with his wife and his mother, Mrs. Ruby Eskridge.
Cpl. Seth McLellan, also stationed at Camp McCoy, spent the past week here with his mother, Mrs. Ethel McLellan.
The following July 6, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Cpl. Seth McLellan, stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis., is home for a week-end visit with his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr.
The following August 3, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 3, column 2:
Home on Furlough
Cpl. Seth McLellan, stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis., spent the week end here with his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr.
The following August 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 7, column 2:
Home Over Week-end
Cpl. Seth McLellan of Camp McCoy, Wis., was home for a week-end visit with his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr. His buddy, Pvt. Edward Fowler, accompanied him.
This Sept. 7, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Cpl. Seth McLellan, stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis., was home for a week-end visit with his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr.
The following October 5, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 3:
Home on Furlough
Sgt. Seth McLellan, stationed at Camp McCoy, Wis., is home this week visiting his mother, Mrs. William McLellan, Sr.
This March 15, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, columns 1-2:
A meeting between two brothers, William and Seth McLellan, which took place in January in Luxembourg, was indeed a happy event for them. William, who is with Patton's third army, heard that the 76th infantry division, in which his brother, Seth, is serving, was moved up to the front. Bill asked permission to go and see if he could locate his brother and the request was granted. On Sunday, January 28th, he found Seth at about 10 a.m. after Seth had been on patrol dury all night and had only been asleep since 6 a.m. Seth accompanied Bill to his camp about 8 miles away, and stayed the remainder of the day until Bill's company moved on to Bastogne, Belgium. Seth rode in the convoy with them to the next town, then headed back to Trier, Germany where his outfit was stationed. To complete a happy day for the McLellan brothers, Glen (Pete) Reeves, another Lowell boy in the same outfit with William, was also on hand for the reunion. Bill and Seth had not seen each other for over a year.
In the last letter written to his mother, Mrs. Ethel McLellan, Seth said he was still in Belgium, but writing the letter in a foxhole near Coblenz, Germany.
This March 22, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 6, column 1:
A letter received by Mrs. Ethel McLellan from her son, Seth, on Monday, informed her that he had been promoted from Sgt. to Staff Sgt. He said his outfit had been in some very hard fighting against the Heinies, but had them on the run. He also said they were quartered in a house that had been bombed, and all that remained was the basement, which they were using, and added that he had just finished the first good night's sleep he had had in 20 nights.
This April 12, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
A letter received from her son, S/Sgt. Seth McLellan, informs his mother, Mrs. Ethel McLellan, that he had suffered a slight hand wound during action with his outfit, and that he had been awarded the Purple Heart. He told his mother not to worry because he had almost entirely recovered and everything was going along fine. Seth, who is stationed with the infantry in Germany, has been in some of the heaviest fighting against the Nazis.
This May 24, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
S/Sgt. Seth McLellan writes his mother, Mrs. Ethel McLellan, that he has been released from the hospital, where he spent a short time and has rejoined his outfit. Seth said while on furlough in Paris recently he ran across Pfc. Millard "Sparkey" Hall of Shelby, while walking down the street, It was a complete and happy surprise for both boys, but when they recovered enjoyed a real visit, talking over all the latest news they knew of Lowell and Shelby.
The following Lowell Tribune article was found in the January 3, 1946, issue (page 2, column 2):
S/Sgt. Seth McClellan arrived home Monday after receiving his discharge from the service at Camp Atterbury. His brother, Cpl. William McLellan, received his discharge on Monday at Atterbury. With his wife who met him at Indianapolis, he will stay in that city for a few days. Both the boys [have] seen much service overseas in the European theatre.
A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the Sept. 13, 1956, Lowell Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Seth McLellan, L.G.S. Teacher -- Coach, Stricken by Polio
Seth McLellan, 32, of 607 Oakley Avenue, Lowell grade school coach and junior high school building supervisor, was stricken with polio last week and taken, via ambulance, to Gary Methodist hospital at 5 p.m. Saturday. His condition is slightly improved.
Paralyzed from his hips down he can now move his toes and knee caps. His right arm is mildly involved, necessitating that he be fed. He will remain in isolation until his temperature returns to normal.
This summer Seth completed work on his master's at Ball State Teacher's College and also worked at Warne and Jones Super Foods as a butcher. He made a trip to Detroit on Sunday, August 26, and the next day complained of soreness in his back. However, he continued to work until Wednesday night when he went to the doctor.
Mrs. McLellan and the children, Linda, 5, Stanley, 3, and Susan, 1 year old, were with him throughout the crisis, when he was feverish and became paralyzed. The entire community is praying that they will not contract the dreaded disease, as well as for Seth's complete recovery.
It will be many months before Seth is able to assume his post at L.G.S. where he taught math and physical education.
Mrs. Michael Milkovic is teaching Seth's classes.
* * * * *
Seth McLellan Past Crisis
Stricken with polio two weeks ago, Seth McLellan highly esteemed L.G.S. coach and teacher, is now past the crisis in his illness and is on the road to recovery. However, no date had been set for his release from Gary Methodist hospital and doctors are doubtful that he will be able to return to school at all this term.
Mrs. Michael Milakovic and Mrs. Morris Gilbert have been teaching Seth's classes.
The following Sept. 20, 1956, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1 column 2:
Proclaim Sept. 24-29 Seth McLellan Week
WHEREAS, disaster has stricken the breadwinner of a most esteemed family of our community, and
WHEREAS, everyone is desirous of helping in the worthy cause of providing the necessities of life for the wife and three small children of this good fellow,
NOW, therefore, I, Alvah Pletcher, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Town of Lowell, in the State of Indiana, do hereby proclaim the week of September 24-29, as SETH McLELLAN WEEK in the town of Lowell, and urge all our citizens to cooperate in the all-out effort to make the Seth McLellan benefit dance at the Legion hall on Saturday, September 29, an overwhelming financial success, and to help provide food by stocking the frozen food chest reserved for the McLellans at Warne & Jones Super Foods store. May God richly bless all who extend help and fellowship and protect us from further disaster.
A copy of the following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Coach Seth McLellan Planning To Attend L.H.S. Game Friday
If the weather cooperates, Lowell grade school Coach Seth McLellan plans to see the Lowell vs. Dyer basketball game in the L.H.S. gym Friday night.
Stricken with paralytic polio on Labor Day weekend, Seth was treated at Gary Methodist hospital until November 6 when he entered Hines Veterans' hospital. Now receiving therapy in the pool at Hines for three hours daily, Monday thru Friday, Seth is gaining in strength and has been able to spend the past four weekends at his home, 607 West Oakley. He is, of course, confined to a wheel chair, and because he tires easily, visitors have been kept to a minimum. Mrs. McLellan and the children are eagerly looking forward to having Seth at home for Christmas.
The following article from the Times (Jan. 16, 1996) can be found in the Local History Files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 4, page 116):
Seth D. McLellan, 71, of Lowell, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 1996. He is survived by his wife Lillian; one son, Stanley (Sandra) McLellan of DeMotte; three daughters, Linda (Randall) Watson of Niceville, FL., Susan (Preston) Longino of Phoenix, AZ., and Katherine (Gregory) Hart of Wheatfield, IN.; five grandchildren; one brother, William (Jeanne) McLellan Jr. of Lowell; one niece and one nephew.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Lowell, Indiana with Pastor John Wortinger officiating. Cremation preceded at Oakland Memory Lanes in Dolton, IL.
Mr. McLellan was an eduator for 39 years. The majority of those years were with the Tri-Creek School System. For 19 years he served as the Principal of Lake Prairie Elementary School. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lowell; a WWII veteran; member of American Legion #101; Colfax Masonic Lodge #378, IN. State Teachers Assoc., IN State Retired Teachers Assoc. District 1 Principal of the Year in 1977 and a past member of the Lowell Public Library Board. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lowell Public Library Endowment Fund. Arrangemetns handled by Sheets Funeral Home, Lowell, IN.
The following article from the Times (Jan. 18, 1996) can be found in the Local History Files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 4, page 116):
Seth McLellan led active life -- in wheelchair
BY ADELLE L. MACKANOS
Times Staff Writer
LOWELL -- When polio left him a paraplegic unable to walk in 1956, it could have ended a quality life.
But Seth Mclellan was determined that no handicap would ever be an obstacle.
Those who knew him say it never was.
The 71-year-old lifelong Lowell resident, an educator and a school administrator for 39 years, died Jan. 14.
He was principal of Lake Prairie School for 19 years, following two decades as a teacher in the Tri-Creek Schools.
Frank Foss, former principal at Tri-Creek's Oak Hill Elementary School, recalled that Mr. McLellan would greet his pupils at the door each day.
"His wheelchair never prevented him from participating or being active. Not only was he an excellent teacher and principal, Seth was also a great promoter of our athletic department," said Foss, a friend and colleague of Mr. McLellan's. "He was one of our biggest supporters. Come rain or shine, Seth never missed a football or basketball game."
Stan Hurst, who took Mr. McLellan's place at Lake Prairie Elementary School when he retired in 1988, said he was always amazed how Mr. McLellan managed a disability that could have sidelined him.
"His wheelchair never held him back. It never stood in his way, or kept him from becoming one of the finest educators in Lake County," Hurst said.
Says his daughter, Susan Longino: "Dad never thought of himself as disabled. He was confined to a wheelchair, but he led a life that belied that fact."
Mr. McLellan was named District I Principal of the Year in 1977 and was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers' Association.
Mr. McClellan is survived by his wife, Lillian; one son, Stanley (Sandra) McLellan of DeMotte; three daughters, Linda (Randall) Watson of Niceville, Fla., Susan (Preston) Longino of Phoenix, Ariz., and Katherine (Gregory) Hart of Wheatfield, Ind.; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, at the First Methodist Church in Lowell, with the Rev. John Wortinger officiating.
Cremation preceded at Oakland Memory Lanes in Dolton, Ill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lowell Public Library Endowment Fund.
