Lee, J. W.

LEE, HOWELL, EYER

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 2/4/2010 at 16:13:20

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol. II, p. 47

J. W. LEE.

Jesse W. Lee was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, July 16, 1868. He was the eldest son of F. Q. and Alice E. Lee, and he was five years of age when his father and mother settled in Webster City. He received his education in the public schools of Webster City and graduated from the high school in 1886. He then entered the Graphic office with his father and for six years performed the duties of compositor, job printer, business manager and assistant editor on the Graphic. In 1893, he commenced the study of law in the office of A. N. Boeye. Later he formed a partnership with H. G. Gulp and the firm of Gulp & Lee conducted an extensive real-estate and loan business until 1896 when H. G. Gulp died. Mr. Lee was admitted to practice law by the supreme court of Iowa in 1896 and except during a year when he was in partnership with Rube McFerren, has conducted his business alone.

J. W. Lee enlisted as a private in Company C, Sixth Regiment Iowa National Guard, in 1888. He was advanced in rank to corporal, then second lieutenant, then first lieutenant and in 1895 was commissioned captain of his company. On May 25, 1898, he was mustered into the service of the United States as Captain of Company C, Fifty-second Regiment of Iowa Infantry Volunteers and served in this capacity through the Spanish- American war. On the reorganization of the National Guard after the close of the Spanish war, he was again elected captain of Company C, Fifty-sixth Regiment, and in June, 1899, was promoted major. He retired from military service in 1904, after serving sixteen years.

On November 19, 1890, Mr. Lee was married to Hattie E. Howell, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Eyer) Howell and on August 16, 1892, was born to them a daughter, Grace, their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Lee reside at 934 Boone street, Webster City, Iowa.