John Wesley LEE

LEE, BREWER, FRAKES, RULEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

March 12, 1835 ----- March 4, 1884

JOHN WESLEY LEE

Died, at his home in Cass Township, Hamilton County, Iowa, March 4, 1884, aged 48 years, 11 months, and 22 days. John W. Lee was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and received his education in the common schools and at Oberlin College. He spent a few years as a teacher in that state, taking rank among the best teachers of the country. In May of 1858 he started for Webster City, coming with a team, and the season being very wet, he endured great hardships in making the long journey, in which to be "sloughed down" was no novelty. Having been raised on a farm and liking that employment, he chose it for a life occupation, in which he succeeded so well that he justly ranked among the first farmers of this county. In November, 1859 he married Mrs. Hattie E. Brewer who with three sons born to them, survive him. Until the last few years he has taught school for a few months during the winter of each year, resolving each year that that would be his last term, yet again being induced to "one more term" by the earnest importunities of patrons of the schools near his home who knew the value of his services as a teacher.

He has resided in Cass Township, almost if not quite, 25 years, during all of which time he has held some of the offices of the township. He represented that township on the Board of Supervisors under the old system and was again a member of the board during the time our courthouse was building in 1876 and 1877 which was built without taxation or bonding, and was managed with such fidelity to the interests of the people that not even the suspicion of a "steal" was ever entertained in relation to its construction. He was taken sick shortly after harvest and continued to grow worse and better by terms, until December when he was confined to his room sinking continually until his death. During his sickness all that loving hands could suggest or do was done to relieve him and restore him to health, but all efforts were in vain.

The above facts were handed in by a neighbor and friend of the deceased, and from the many eloquent words of admiration bestowed by several who knew him long and well, we feel the touch of generous sympathy, and crown him with generous praise.

As a husband and father, his chief ambition was to happify the little kingdom of which he was a revered center; and love was the magic wand, that moulded affection into cheerful obedience. As a neighbor, for his unostentatious benevolence and self-sacrificing devotion to the good of others, he was universally regarded as a type to generous manhood. As a citizen, he was brave, without bluster, charitable without parade, and public spirited, without assuming to lead. He was honest, temperate, industrious and kind. His life was as the purling stream, that gladdens the hearts of all who beheld its mirrored beauties. He kissed the tear from the cheek of sorrow, and fanned the fevered brow into a smile of heavenly beauty. His path was strewn with roses, because he healed every sigh with a smile.

When the shades of evening came, hope blossomed anew, and as the pale messenger whispered the irrevocable decree of fate, the noble man quietly laid down the burden of life, and retired to the shades of eternal silence. His remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse of sympathizing friends and neighbors and the last offices of friendship performed for a fallen brother, and on his tomb it might truthfully be written

An honest man here lies at rest,
As are God with his image blest.

Sympathy cannot heal the crushed hearts of a desolate home, but the soft mellow light of the happy past, may cheer the soul, and point to honor. To the sons who survive, we could but say, depart not from the lessons of youth, and future generations will bless the memories of your honored sirs.

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"J. W. Lee is dead" was the sad word sent forth to sadden the hearts of the whole surrounding country. He breathed out the last of his useful life on the morning of the 3rd Inst, suddenly. Although he has been quite feeble for the past year, still there was considerable hope of his recovery, but alas how often our hopes are thus lost by the strong and cruel arm of death. J. W. Lee came from the state of Ohio (his state of birth) in the spring of 1858. He engaged in his profession as a school teacher, and was married the second year after his coming, into the family of P. Frakes, one of the country's first settlers. He then engaged in farming, settling in Cass Township, Hamilton County, where he has made a grand success in securing property. But above all he lived a life unspotted and to be envied by us left behind to mourn his absence. Honest in all his dealings, a friend to the needy, a heart ever ready to help in all good deeds, a kind and good husband and parent, a vacancy that cannot be filled but by few.

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[son of Daniel Lee and Mariah (Ruley) Lee]