Seth C. Macon was born at home in Randolph County, North Carolina. Macon grew up on a farm and recounts some of his daily chores during childhood and his close relationship with his six siblings. Macon is a "birthright Quaker" and describes the Quaker community in which he grew up; particularly the one room schoolhouse, the communal building of a new meeting house and barn, and the Quaker's refusal to grow tobacco as a cash crop. He attended Guilford College where he met his wife, Hazel. He relates the struggles he faced to finance his education during the Great Depression and his student work at Guilford College. After graduating from college, Macon joined Jefferson Standard Life Insurance until he was drafted. He describes his work with the Army Air Corps, primarily maintaining records on Air Corps schools. Before moving back to North Carolina, Macon and his wife lived in Fort Worth, Texas. Macon rejoined Jefferson Standard after returning to North Carolina, eventually settling in Greensboro in 1946. He describes his career in the life insurance industry, particularly the completion of his two books on recruiting life insurance agents and subsequent recognition. Macon also wrote a book about his life called Uphill Both Ways as well as the supplement Uphill Both Ways and Still Climbing.