Joseph B. Seth

Joseph Bruff Seth (November 25, 1845 – November 23, 1927) was an American politician, lawyer and business executive. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1874 and from 1884 to 1886. In 1886, he served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. Seth served in the Maryland Senate and as President of the Maryland Senate from 1906 to 1908.

Early life Joseph Bruff Seth was born on November 25, 1845, in present-day Neavitt, Maryland, to Martha A. (née Haddaway) and Alexander Hamilton Seth. His father was a farmer and served in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1844. Seth was educated in public schools and grew up on the Lancashire farm built by the Haddaway family in the late 18th century. In 1865, Seth worked with his uncle, Robert L. Seth, in the oyster and fruit packing business. Seth served in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1874 and from 1884 to 1886. He served as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1886. Seth served in the Maryland Senate from 1906 to 1908. He served as the President of the Maryland Senate from 1906 to 1908. In 1890, Seth joined a group that organized an electric light plant in Annapolis. He was elected as president, and also served as director of the Annapolis Short Line Railroad. Seth was in favor of Prohibition. Seth was also instrumental to the dedication of the Talbot Boys Confederate monument in 1916, and expressed sympathies for the Confederate cause and slavery.

Personal life Seth married Sallie Goldsborough Barnett on December 10, 1878. She died in August 1881. They had one son, John Barnett Seth. Seth married Mary Rhett Walker in June 1892.

Seth died on November 23, 1927, at his home in Easton.