CITY HALL DEDICATION 1939 ~~~ Researched, Compiled and Updated by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Seeley Hinckley Garage Grand Opening

This Beautiful Peel Home was sacrificed 

to

build the new Seely-Hinckley Garage 

September 1919

 

And 

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Boy Killed By Bull

 

John H. Seely Family Group Sheet ( Considered to be an original resource document)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY and JOURNALS of C.N, LUND

This autobiography and journal of C. N. Lund is found at the 

Relic Home.  It is a valuable document in that it tells of the early days of the people of Mt. Pleasant.  It also describes the missionary journeys and duties that C. N. Lund experienced in his homeland of Denmark.  In particular interest are the interactions he made with the early Mt. Pleasant Pioneers.  

John H. Seely Funeral Services ~ Mt. Pleasant Pyramid August 6, 1920

Mt. Pleasant Citizens Rejoice Over Progress ~ November 27, 1925 Pyramid

BYU Graduates and Faculty 1890-91

Aubreila's Salad ~ Cucumber and Tomato

Aubreila was the wife of Robert H. Hinckley and the daughter of John H. Seely .

Robert H. Hinckley ~ Mayor of the Month ~ May 2011 ~ He Served As Mayor 1924-1925

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

Advertisement of Seeley-Hinckley Automobile Co.

Hinckley Sells Ramboullett as Well as Dodge at Detroit

Seely - Hinckley Automobile Company 1915 Painting by Ken Baxter

The Mt. Pleasant Carnegie Library recently acquired a photo of this painting and has shared with us.

Seely Hinckley Auto was located where the Triangle Lounge is now located; 98 West Main.  Prior to its construction, the Peter Madsen Peel Home stood here.  Robert Hinckley was once a mayor of Mt. Pleasant.  He married Clarissa Abrelia Seely, a daughter of John H. Seely, a prominent sheepman here in Mt. Pleasant.Robert Hinckley went on to become a Senator, a member of the Civil Aeronautics Commission, a parter with Ed Noble in creating one of the televisioon broadcasting companies.  He founded the Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah. You can read more about Robert Hinckley here .

Hinckleys In The News - - - 1939

---Article on Hinkley Dodge

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705326753,00.html

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE

(A fun walking tour of Main Street found amongst Hilda's Memorabilia)

Next stop is Mt. Pleasant City. As I step from the train, the first sign that meets my eye is "ROOMS 5 BLOCKS EAST 1 BLOCK NORTH". I am next attracted by a road sign that reads: "Fairview - 6 1/2 miles, Thistle - 37 1/2 miles, Provo - 57 miles, Price - 95 miles, Spring City - 5 miles, Ephraim - 15 1/2 miles, Manti- 23 miles, Gunnison - 38 miles. After sizing up the conveyances, I decided to walk up one side of the street and down the other. Between third and fourth west is a red BLACK SMITH SHOP sign with a sign PEERLESS, on the west side and LUCKY STRIKE TOBACCO on the east side. Nearly a block east we notice a blue sign advertising FIRESTONE on the west side of the building, with the sign BENT HANSEN AND COMPANY LUMBER in front. We pass the building painted yellow and two sign boards advertising DODGE BROTHERS and LUCKY STRIKE. As we pass the brick house surrounded by pines we see the sign SWEET CHOCOLATE. In front of the building is a painted sign SANPETE COUNTY COOP GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Next is the Mt. Pleasant Bank Building. On the front is painted 19BANK01. On the front of the LAMONT BUILDING upstairs are the following signs: A. SUNDWALL, M.D., and P.L. HOLMAN, SURGEON AND PHYSICIAN. In the east window, the sign reads W.D. TUELER, DENTIST. In the lower window is MRS. LAMONT MILLINERY and JAMES SQUIRE JEWELRY. Next we come to the GUNDERSON BLOCK. Next is the JAMES F. JENSEN building plainly labeled. Then we pass the CLEANING AND PRESSING and the MAYTAG SHOP. Next a frame building with a lot of CIRCUS posters; then the GOOD YEAR TIRES SERVICE STATION. On the corner of Main and 1st west is the MT. PLEASANT POST OFFICE and SEELY HINCKLEY GARAGE. and next is a BARBER SHOP. And now for a hot dog at REDI-QUICK LUNCH. Now the PYRAMID building, on the west side is the sign UTAH MEAT AND PRODUCE. The next building is the EQUITABLE building occupied by PROGRESS MERCANTILE CO. In the window upstairs is I.O.O.F. HALL. Now we are at SKAGGS', SAFEWAY. The WASATCH BLOCK comes next, L. A. PHILLIPS, DENTIST is located on the second floor, and J.C. PENNEY occupies the ground floor.

More than likely you have not observed the sign POST OFFICE and HENRY GEORGE CIGAR on the side of the building. The NORTH SANPETE BANK BUILDING which is built of stone with larger glass windows now greets the view. The next building we se is occupied by JOHANSEN BROTHERS and the MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY upstairs. Now the next building we see is built of stone with large glass windows now greets the view. The building has a sign: PALACE PHARMACY near the top and is occupied by SLIM'S BARBER SHOP. The next building is labeled at the top LUNDBERG BLOCK. In the front on the ground floor is the sign, big enough for near-sighted people to see CONSOLIDATED WAGON AND MACHINE. Over the door is the sign JOHN DEER PLOWS.

My, we are hungry again and here we are at the CITY LUNCH ROOM. On the second floor is the sign, beginning to age DR. A. LUNDBERG, DENTIST. on the ground floor is the RECREATION HALL. Last year the CONSOLIDATED FURNITURE COMPANY built a fine new building, putting the name F. C. JENSEN on a marble plate in front. Over the sidewalk, facing west, is the sign FURNITURE, and facing east, HARDWARE. We won't forget the RED FRONT SHOE SHOP just east and in the old BANK BUILDING is the OPTICAL SHOP and CONFECTIONARY. At the intersection of Main and State is the Doughboy erected by the Service Star Legion in 1926. On the southwest corner of the next block is the sign, MADSEN AND LONGSDORF, and in the front window is the sign, S.D. LONGSDORF. On first east we come to the BISHOP'S STOREHOUSE. Opposite is the PUBLIC SCHOOL, ERECTED IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD 1896. We now turn west and on the opposite side of the street from the one we have just traveled. The next building is the CARNEGIE LIBRARY. Next we know, although it is not labeled is the Pioneer Monument which was erected on the fiftieth anniversary of the coming of the pioneers in the year 1859.

Going west we pass JOHNSTON DRUG STORE. Two sign boards, advertising PEET GREENALDI SOAP and VELVET CIGARET are set in a distance from the street. A lumber building where cream and eggs are handled is labeled ELECTRIC SUPPLIES. It must be strictly up to date, according to the sign. The next sign west is BJELKE SHOE HOSPITAL. On the red brick building next, appears the sign ERICKSEN MEAT AND SUPPLY. And on an upstairs window reads L.P. NELSON AGENC Y, NOTARY PUBLIC. Across the alley is another cream station.

And now we are almost dead but are not ready for MERZ MONUMENT, although it is near Decoration Day. The beautiful MOBILE OIL HUB service station comes next. After passing a home with a hedge fence, there is a lumber building with the sign COMMERCIAL PRINTING and in the window is WATCH MAKING AND JEWELRY.

The train now whistles and we only notice the GUNDERSON CANDY SHOP, and on third west a house with the sign ROOMS FOR RENT. Just as we arrive at the station, we notice N.P. NIELSEN SERVICE, and R.R. CROSSING. On the depot stands out boldly, AMERICAN RAILWAY and WESTERN UNIION TELEGRAPH AND CABLE OFFICE. We now leave Mt. Pleasant at the elevation of 5857 feet and board the train for Denver, which is 719 mile away.

(Some of you no doubt will remember things differently as to the signs along Mt. Pleasant's Main Street. Different generations remember different things. some may argue that the railroad station was never American Railway, but always the Denver Rio Grande. We have retyped the original document for easier reading purposes. Also, in some cases the penciled in writing was very difficult to read. The original is at the Relic Home in Hilda's Scrapbook.)

Chrysler's Decision Stings Hinckley Dodge - Its Roots in Mt. Pleasant

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.