Robert H. Hinckley and Leonard Seely Opens Dodge Dealership

 

1915 Dodge Touring

Robert H. Hinckley opened Seely Hinckley Dodge in 1915 right here in Mt. Pleasant - making it one of the oldest continuously run Dodge dealerships in the world. The oldest, that is, until last Thursday, when Chrysler LLC terminated its franchise agreements with 789 of its U.S. dealerships. Reported by the Salt Lake Tribune May 18th, ten of those stores are in Utah, and one is Hinckley Dodge of Ogden. Until early next month, there were 24 in the state. The car manufacturer did stick with Hinckley Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Salt Lake City, overseen by Robert H. Hinckley's grandson, Jim Hinckley. Born in Fillmore, Utah, June 8, 1891, Robert Henry Hinckley, was the son of Edwin S. and Addie Henry Hinckley. His father was a professor of geology at Brigham Young University and Robert moved with his parents as they lived in different places connected with his father’s work. Robert served an LDS mission in Germany from 1910-1913 and returned to establish the Seely-Hinckley Automobile Co., in 1915. That same year he married Abrelia Clarissa Seely, daughter of John H. and Margaret Peel Seely of Mt. Pleasant. Robert H. Hinckley borrowed $500 from his father-in-law to further his education. But instead, he bought into a Dodge franchise. They were the parents of four children: Robert Jr. Paul, John S. and Elizabeth. His public service career began in 1918 when he was elected to the Utah legislature as a representative from Sanpete County. He was subsequently elected to be mayor of Mt. Pleasant in 1924. In 1931, he helped organize Utah’s relief work. In 1934 he was appointed assistant administrator of Federal Emergency Relief Administration, with responsibility for the western states. Involvement in one of his main interests, aviation, began with his service in the U.S. Civil Aeronautical Authority in 1938. In that position, he was instrumental in establishing training programs for civilian pilots in 600 colleges and universities. He was assistant director of the Department of Commerce from 1940-42 and directed the Contract Settlement Office in 1944-45 to settle all terminated wartime service contracts. He also served on the War production Board. Robert H. Hinckley shown on the right

Orval Wright on the left

His business career was also national in scope. During World War II and continuing afterwards, he was an officer of Sperry Rand Corporation and joined with Ed Noble in the founding of American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He served as director and officer in ABC until 1966. Robert H. Hinckley was appointed to be a regent of the University of Utah for several terms throughout his life. In 1956, he purchased property on the north bench of the Ogden River at middle fork and established his home there. It became known as the “Garden of Eden” to friends and family. There he raised welsh ponies and directed the affairs of Robert H. Hinckley Inc. until retirement in 1973. He founded the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah in 1965. He established the Edwin Smith Hinckley Scholarship Fund at Brigham Young University as well as the Abrelia Hinckley Scholarship Fund at Weber State University in 1954 and the Seely-Hinckley Scholarship Fund in 1984. After the death of his wife in 1973, Robert H. Hinckley retired as director of RHH Incorporated. He died in Ogden at the age of 96 on April 30, 1988. Resource: Robert H. Hinckley Family Business Papers, Weber State College Library Jim Hinckley, a great grandson of Robert H. is now the General Manager of Ogden's Hinckley Dodge. Jim Hinckley Sr. (grandson) oversees the Salt Lake City Hinckley Dodge Chrysler and Jeep operation.

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Robert H.Hinckley AlsoServed as May of Mt. Pleasant 

The following are are references and page numbers to Robert H. Hinckley from Hilda Madsen Longdorf's "History of Mt. Pleasant".

June 24, 1917, Mary Elizabeth, thirteen months old child of Charles M. and Josephine Peterson, was drowned in Twin Creek channel east of the city.

For a number of years, a Traveling Library, free to the public, was sponsored by members of the Twentieth Century Literary Club and the Home Culture Club of Mt. Pleasant.

During Daniel Rasmussen's term as mayor, the Carnegie Li­brary was built, being formally opened to the public, February 15, 1917. This year the Seely-Hinckley building, corner First West and Main, was built by John H. Seely and Robert H. Hinckley.  P 199

In December 1925, during Robert H. Hinckley's term as mayor, the White Way was completed by the paving of Main Street. This was celebrated by an appropriate program and danc­ing on the pavement. This year the Lion's Club was organized in Mt. Pleasant, with Charles Eatinger as president, and Earl F. Gardemann, as secretary. P 202

The new city hall was dedicated August 23rd. Following  aparade, a program was held on the steps of the building. Senator Ed Johnston presided. Invocation was offered by Daniel  Rasmussen and the dedicatory prayer by C. W. Sorensen, and an historical sketch was given by Mrs. S. D. Longsdorf. Talks by Judge.  George Christensen, of Price; Robert H. Hinckley, of Ogden, Chairman Civil Aeronautics Commission; and Darrell Greenwell, of Salt Lake City, State WP A Director, who also, in behalf of the WP A, presented the building to Mt. Pleasant. The response and acceptance speech was given by Councilman A. L. Peterson. Mus­ical numbers were rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hansen, Dean and Wayne Peterson, Grant, Vernon, and Don Johansen, Mrs. G. B. Madsen, Mrs. S. H. Gill, and Mrs. H. G. Ericksen. P 207-208

1924-25. Mayor, Robert H. Hinckley; Recorder, Calvin Christen­sen; Teasurer, Effie R. Larsen; Councilors, O. F. Wall, four years; P. A. Poulsen, Joseph Matson, M. C. Petersen, Joseph Johansen Jr.

P 238