Prior to his judicial service, he was the 21st mayor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and served in the Union Army for nearly the entire American Civil War.

[1] His father, William Seaman, had brought the family to the Wisconsin Territory from Buffalo, New York, the previous year.

Instead, they settled in what was then western Milwaukee County and built a saw mill and log cabin, where our William H. Seaman was born.

When the regiment mustered out in October 1864, Sergeant Seaman continued his service as a quartermaster on the staff of General George Henry Thomas through the end of the war.

[2] Seaman returned to Sheboygan in September 1866, and resumed his legal studies under the tutelage of state senator John A. Bentley.

[2] Seaman served in many local offices, including city council, school board, and, in 1881, he was elected Mayor of Sheboygan.

[3] Judge Seaman was a member of the Congregational church, the Knights Templar, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Grand Army of the Republic.