Julius Doerfel Seely was born on Tuesday, October 8, 1895 in Hammonton, New Jersey. He was the son of Agnes (Doerfel) and Jonathon Seely.

In the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census reports, he was living with his family at a farm at 116 Chew Road, Hammonton. In 1920, he was shown as the farm manager.

Around 1925 he married Clara M. Gordon and they had one child, Irene E. Seely.

The 1930 census has them living at 27 Pressy Street in Hammonton. Clara's brother, Paul A. Gordon was also living at that address. Julius was employed as a teacher in a public school.