HENRY LEE

HENRY LEE, of Fairview Township, is one of the early pioneers; he came to the county in 1856. He was born in Blount County, Tennessee, September 1, 1821. He is a son of Nathan and Hannah (Dixon) Lee, both natives of North Carolina. Henry was the youngest of seven children; he was eleven years old when his parents came to Wayne County, Indiana, moving with a four-horse team; they remained there three years and then went to Cass County, Michigan ; the father died in 1837, alld the mother in 1847. Henry was reared on a farm and received his education in pioneer schools in log school-houses. He was married in Cass County, Michigan, October 31,1847, to Miss Mary C. McConnell, a daughter of James and Mary (Grose) McConnell; she was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, in 1852. Mr. Lee moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, where he lived for four years. In 1856 he and his wife and five children came to Iowa, moving with an ox-team, one horse and a wagon. The first winter was spent at Bowman's Grove, and one year in Harlan township. He moved on his present farm in 1858, and was one of the first settlers in the township. He has improved his farm well; has a good house and buildings for horses and cattle; the farm is well adapted to stock-raising being well watered. Mr. Lee has seven children living - James M.; Mary Rold, wife of Soren Rold, of this township; Martha J., wife of H. C. Reed, of Monroe Township; Sarah A., at home; Julia Ann, wife of George Larson, of Harrison County, Iowa; Samuel H., of Fairview Township, and John A., at home. The great loss of Mr. Lee's life was the death of his wife, which occurred August 14, 1886; she was a woman of many virtues, a kind and loving wife, a good and affectionate mother; she was greatly beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Lee is a Republican; he has served as township clerk for eighteen years and as justice of the peace for ten years, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. He is a member of the German Baptist church, and a deacon of the same. He has ever taken an active interest in education and religion. He is kind and hospitable to all and has the respect and confidence of all who know him.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 387. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs