Ralph Sellew

Forever a Happy Bachelor

• • •

May 5, 1859 – April 6, 1866

Ralph Sellew, Esquire Ralph Sellew heavily funded Washington University, and sat on the Board of Directors for the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad. He purchased our beautiful home in 1859, most likely only physically living in the home for part of the year. He spent a great deal of time traveling for business and attending charity events.

Upon his passing in the rotunda of  the Lindell Hotel in St. Louis in 1884, he was worth over three million dollars. Quite a healthy sum for the time period! Below is an article from the January 16 1884 St. Louis Globe Democrat:

Ralph Sellew, a well-known capitalist and business man of this city, died suddenly while sitting in a chair at the Lindell Hotel about 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Sellew had just come downstairs from the diningroom, and having purchased a cigar at the hotel stand, seated himself on one of the row of chairs which are arranged along the east wall, near the front of the main entrance to the hotel. He lighted the weed and began to puff it, but suddenly stopped; a slight tremor passed through his frame; his eyes assumed a glazed, staring appearance. In a few moments the old gentleman was dead. Frank Hefferan, an employee of Elleard’s flower store next door, happened to enter the hotel and saw the pale, ashy features and fixed gaze of Mr. Sellew and he at once rushed toward him in much alarm, as the young man had been a great favorite of the old gentleman, who had shown him numerous kindnesses. Heffernan cried out: What’s the matter, Mr. Sellew – but there was no response, and the cigar which had been moving to and fro between the quivering tips felt upon the floor. Mr. Chasasing, one of the hotel clerks, attracted by the agitation of Heffernan, came over to where Mr. Sellew was, and, taking in the situation at a glance, sent for Dr. Atwood, who shortly arrived, but his coming was useless, for as he entered the door the old gentleman expired. The body was taken to Parlor 29, and in a few moments for the news of the sad event had sproad like wild fire, a crowd of sympathizing friends gathered in the hotel office and on the parlor floor startled by the shocking findings. Mr. W. K. Ferguson, a particular friend of the deceased, TOOK CHARGE OF THE REMAINS and notified relatives of Mr. Sellew’s sudden demise.

Ralph Sellew was at the time of his death, 73 years of age. He was born in Connecticut in 1806, and for a number of years was engaged in the metal trade in Cincinnati with his brother, Wm. Sellew. In 1846 Mr. Seliew came to St. Louis and then established a branch of the Cincinnati house. He afterwards became interested in numerous enterprises in this city, and through his business tact and management accumulated a fortune estimated at between $2,000,000 and $8,000,000. The deceased was a man of generous impulses and was a philanthropist not only in sentiment but in practice.

In 1853 he donated $10,000 for the maintenance of a night school, and he was ever ready in a quiet, unostentatious manner to relieve suffering and distress.

Mr. Sellew was never married, and for several years he has resided at

his ease in the Lindell Hotel. About a year

since he was stricken with paralysis which

rendered it difficult for him to get about with-

out assistance, but the immediate cause of

death was apoplexy, according to the opinion of Dr. Atwood. The dead philanthropist

has no relatives here. All his kindred reside in Cincinnati and Connecticut, and they will probably come here and make arrangements.