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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Henry Lee

Henry Lee, living on the old homestead in Washington township, which was developed by his father in the ’50s, was born in Medina county, Ohio, January 13, 1851, his parents being William and Martha (McClain) Lee, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of New York. They were married in the Buckeye state and resided there until 1854, when they came to Iowa, settling in Washington township, Greene county. Here the father secured a tract of land and carried on farming, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest. He died in 1897 and his wife also passed away in this county.

Henry Lee was educated in the district schools of Washington township, attending the first school organized in this county in what is now known as district No. 6. At the outbreak of the Civil war A. R. Mills, who was the teacher, and Isaac Brown, a director, together with thirty-three of the scholars, including Henry Lee’s eldest brother, enlisted for service at the front.

As boy and youth Henry Lee aided in the farm work during the summer months and his entire life has been passed in Greene county. At the present time he resides on the old homestead whereon his father broke the sod in the ’50s, placing the first improvements on the property. Mr. Lee can remember in his youth attending an elk roundup in which fourteen elks were killed. This occurred on the east side of the farm. There were other wild animals and game in the county, and in fact the district was a frontier section in which the work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun. The work of progress and improvement, however, has been carried on year after year, Mr. Lee bearing his full share in the agricultural development. Today he is the owner of a well kept farm of eighty acres on section 6, Washington township, and now devotes much of his time to grading stock.

On the 5th of March, 1876, occurred the marriage of Henry Lee and Miss Viola Coon, a native of Greene county. Unto them have been born five children: Charles A., a farmer living near Jamaica, Iowa; Harry, at home; Ina, now living near Grand Junction; May E., who is engaged in teaching school; and Iva, also at home. The family are well known in the community, the different members of the household occupying an enviable position in social circles.

Mr. Lee is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows, while the religious faith of his wife is indicated by her membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He represents one of the old pioneer families of the county. His father carried the chain to help make the surveys of the road from Rippey to Jefferson, and also assisted in the construction of the first house built in Jefferson. Mr. Lee of this review has been a resident of the county for a half century and its history is therefore largely familiar to him, as with the passing years he has aided in promoting the agricultural interests of the county and has stood at all times for progressive citizenship.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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