Lee, T. D.

LEE, ONEILL

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/22/2006 at 21:41:30

LEE, T.D.

T. D. Lee is the name of an enterprising tradesman, who has made a place for himself in the business circles of Rock Rapids, as well as all over Lyon County. He is noted alike for the goods he sells, the fair treatment his customers receive, and the large outfit he carries. Mr. Lee goes on the principle that if a man buys what he needs at a fair price and finds it entirely as represented, he will come again; but if he is cheated and deceived, his trade is lost. It is a common saying; "If you go to Lee's, you know what you are getting."

Mr. Lee was born in Virginia, near Richmond, and when only two years old was taken by his parents to a point near Dubuque, Iowa, where he was reared to manhood and given his education in the city schools. As a young man his first employment was found with the wholesale boot and shoe house of Peikenbrock & Deuss, a leading firm of Dubuque, Iowa, where he was employed as a bookkeeper. In 1878 he became manager of the clothing store of G. Beker in Dubuque. Later on when this firm opened a large retail store in Minneapolis, Mr. Lee was put in charge, and his management was so successful that he was put in charge of a large retail store in Fargo, North Dakota, where he remained for some six years. After he returned to his native city to take the position of general manager of the stores of Keenan & Crofty. In 1897 he came to Rock Rapids and opened an extensive establishment for himself, the main lines of his large stock being clothing, hats, caps and gentlemen's furnishing goods. His long business experience and natural ability as a salesman helped him to the front, and his was quickly recognized as the leading clothing store of the city.

Mr. Lee was married in 1897 to Miss Katie, daughter of P.J. O'Neill, for many years a prominent grain dealer of Dubuque. He died at the great age of ninety-seven, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. The father of T.D. Lee was of Irish parentage, and his people have long been settled around Richmond, Virginia. T.D. Lee is a Democrat, and is now serving the city of Rock Rapids as a member of the common council.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson