Thanks for the tips! I did obtain some really interesting materials from the Historical Society of Steuben County, NY, which is where my gg-grandfather Seely lived both prior to the war and for the rest of his life. In particular, obtained a couple of obits that contained some interesting info, as well as a very sweet and somewhat heartbreaking obit for her daughter who sadly died very young:
Death of Miss Ella Dolson
We are called upon to record the death of a Miss Ella Dolson, only daughter of Doctor J.S. Dolson, in the 19th year of her age. For 5 years she as been a constant sufferer, her ailments commencing with spinal fever [meningococcal meningitis], which left her greatly prostrated. She recovered sufficiently to be about and attend to her education. She early conceived a desire to acquire a thorough medical education, and for her age, became an accomplished scholar in that direction, as she was an earnest student, and believed in carrying out faithfully whater she engaged to do. Her parents encourged her, and provided her with ever factility to acquire what she desired. She was ever a dutiful and loving child, the desire to do exactly right always and under all circumstances being a prominent feature from her earliest years – and it was never necessary to correct her. Her loving disposition attracted to her many friends, and those she drew to her never deserted her. Her loss to her parents and brothers cannot be told, as she appeared among them the bright star that cast a lustre upon all with whom she associated. Her terrible disease that prostated her when 14 years of age, as years passed on, gradually brought her to close confinement, and for the past year she has been confined to her room and bed – but never complaining – always expressing the hope that she might die (as she felt that she was ready for the great change) rather than live – unless she could be of more use in the world than an invalid could be. The past year she has been a terrible sufferer, the disease finally culminating in an abcess which speedily produced death. Her funearal was very largely attended on Tuesday last by the young people of the village, who gave evidence by their grief and presence, that a loving companion, an esteemed friend, had passed from their circle. When but 13 years of age, Ella removed from Hornellsville to her former home in Bath and so firm had her attachments taken hold upon her young companions of that village that two carriages loads of them came to her funeral. She frail [tonment that contained] as bright a spirit as ever dwelt in mortal frame has passed to the home of the Immortal – there to grace the diadem of the crown worn by the Savior, who as assured us that "of such is the Kingdom of Heaven".