Lee Family Stories
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Jesse M. Lee (1813-1863)
Jesse M. Lee was born Oct. 10, 1813. His birthplace is uncertain, possibly Tennessee. He was a corwainer or shoemaker from 1850 to 1860 in Franklin, OH.
He enlisted in the Army on August 13, 1861 in the 2nd Ohio Infantry, Company B.
He married Catharine F. Floyd on Dec 11, 1835 in Hamilton, Butler, Ohio. Together they had 10 children: Chambless A. (he died a few months after birth), Eliza M. (who married George Funk), Harriet M., John Robertson (see below), Sarah E., Catherine (who married Lafayette Hufman), Martha J. (who died at 6 years old), Prudence (who married Maximo Emley and later William A. Brandon), Charles H. and Clara.
Jesse died on Dec. 22, 1863 at Camp Dennison in Ohio. According to some of his military papers, he died of gangrene after a "suicidal incised wound." His wife, Catherine Floyd Lee, spent many years attempting to receive his military pension and refuting the suicide determination.
Jesse is buried in Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, Warren County, OH.
To see his military pension files, courtesy of Peggy Dyas who scanned them all, please check out her yahoogroups site for the 2nd Regiment Ohio Infantry (she may have other documents of interest) or click here for the files.
He enlisted in the Army on August 13, 1861 in the 2nd Ohio Infantry, Company B.
He married Catharine F. Floyd on Dec 11, 1835 in Hamilton, Butler, Ohio. Together they had 10 children: Chambless A. (he died a few months after birth), Eliza M. (who married George Funk), Harriet M., John Robertson (see below), Sarah E., Catherine (who married Lafayette Hufman), Martha J. (who died at 6 years old), Prudence (who married Maximo Emley and later William A. Brandon), Charles H. and Clara.
Jesse died on Dec. 22, 1863 at Camp Dennison in Ohio. According to some of his military papers, he died of gangrene after a "suicidal incised wound." His wife, Catherine Floyd Lee, spent many years attempting to receive his military pension and refuting the suicide determination.
Jesse is buried in Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, Warren County, OH.
To see his military pension files, courtesy of Peggy Dyas who scanned them all, please check out her yahoogroups site for the 2nd Regiment Ohio Infantry (she may have other documents of interest) or click here for the files.
John Robertson Lee (1844-1934)
John Robertson Lee was born May 12, 1844 in Franklin, Ohio. (see more pics here)
He seems to have had a varied military career. According to family stories, he served in the military in Australia sometime before 1864. From 1864 to 1867 he served with the Texas Rangers. On June 26, 1867 he enlisted in the regular Army in Toledo, Ohio and was a private in Troop I of the 8th US Cavalry. He was discharged in New Mexico on June 26,1870. He was twice wounded in action and still carried part of an arrowhead in one of his wounds until the day he died.
His first was, Allie M. Jessup (Jesiop), who he married on April 09, 1873 in Iroquois, IL. They had four children: Lerona May (who died just shy of her first birthday), Etta Pearl, Bertrum Arthur and Clarence Arlington.
According to family stories, Allie died from a snake bite but details are sketchy. She died sometime before 1896 because that's when John married his second wife.
John and Minnie Fitzgerald were married on Sept. 27, 1896 in Altus, Franklin County, Ark. He lived with Minnie in Altus and then in 1900 he was living with her in Wallace Township, Burton County, Ark. They had a daughter, Naomi Olivia (who married John Blanscett), and another child that died sometime before 1900.
From about 1920 until he died in 1934, he was living with his son, Bertrum, and daughter-in-law Mabel in Taylor Township, Howard County, Ind.
According to family stories, John worked on the railroad with his son, Bertrum. His occupation in the 1900 census was listed as a carpenter.
John is buried in Randolph Cemetery in Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana. The burial locations of either of his wives is not known.
There is a family story that John Robertson Lee is a distant cousin of Robert E. Lee but that has not been confirmed.
He seems to have had a varied military career. According to family stories, he served in the military in Australia sometime before 1864. From 1864 to 1867 he served with the Texas Rangers. On June 26, 1867 he enlisted in the regular Army in Toledo, Ohio and was a private in Troop I of the 8th US Cavalry. He was discharged in New Mexico on June 26,1870. He was twice wounded in action and still carried part of an arrowhead in one of his wounds until the day he died.
His first was, Allie M. Jessup (Jesiop), who he married on April 09, 1873 in Iroquois, IL. They had four children: Lerona May (who died just shy of her first birthday), Etta Pearl, Bertrum Arthur and Clarence Arlington.
According to family stories, Allie died from a snake bite but details are sketchy. She died sometime before 1896 because that's when John married his second wife.
John and Minnie Fitzgerald were married on Sept. 27, 1896 in Altus, Franklin County, Ark. He lived with Minnie in Altus and then in 1900 he was living with her in Wallace Township, Burton County, Ark. They had a daughter, Naomi Olivia (who married John Blanscett), and another child that died sometime before 1900.
From about 1920 until he died in 1934, he was living with his son, Bertrum, and daughter-in-law Mabel in Taylor Township, Howard County, Ind.
According to family stories, John worked on the railroad with his son, Bertrum. His occupation in the 1900 census was listed as a carpenter.
John is buried in Randolph Cemetery in Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana. The burial locations of either of his wives is not known.
There is a family story that John Robertson Lee is a distant cousin of Robert E. Lee but that has not been confirmed.
Clarence Arlington Lee (1889-1961)
Clarence Arlington Lee was born Nov 09, 1889 in Paris, Ark. *
Clarence served in the Navy during WWI. According to family lore, he was on a ship and an officer in charge ordered everyone to abandon it because it was believed to be sinking (apparently it wasn't).
He spent all night in the Atlantic before being rescued. The exposure caused lung problems and "a floating heart" (which was to plague him the rest of his life) and Clarence spent the rest of the war in a hospital in Brooklyn, NY, were he met his future wife, Angela, a nurse studying to become a nun. He spent the rest of his time in hospital convincing her not to be a nun and to get married to him instead.
He and Angela Maria Suozzo (or Suazzo) were married Feb 12, 1919. They had five children: Joseph Jessiop (see below), John R., Edward William, Robert and Bertram. There has been a story that Bertram and Robert were twins and that one or both of them died young.
According to the 1920 census, he was a fireman for an apartment house in New York. In 1930, he was a Flagman for the Railroad. By 1930, he and his family was living in Long Branch, NJ. A residence in Long Branch was 270 Chelsea Avenue; it is unknown whether that's the only home he had in NJ.
Clarence and his wife are buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ.
* Various sources give different birth dates for Clarence:
Nov. 9, 1888 (WWII draft card)
Nov. 9, 1889 (gravestone, US Veterans gravesites)
1890 (1920 and 1930 census based on his age)
Nov. 9, 1891 (Elva Lee's letter)
Nov. 1890 (1900 census)
Clarence served in the Navy during WWI. According to family lore, he was on a ship and an officer in charge ordered everyone to abandon it because it was believed to be sinking (apparently it wasn't).
He spent all night in the Atlantic before being rescued. The exposure caused lung problems and "a floating heart" (which was to plague him the rest of his life) and Clarence spent the rest of the war in a hospital in Brooklyn, NY, were he met his future wife, Angela, a nurse studying to become a nun. He spent the rest of his time in hospital convincing her not to be a nun and to get married to him instead.
He and Angela Maria Suozzo (or Suazzo) were married Feb 12, 1919. They had five children: Joseph Jessiop (see below), John R., Edward William, Robert and Bertram. There has been a story that Bertram and Robert were twins and that one or both of them died young.
According to the 1920 census, he was a fireman for an apartment house in New York. In 1930, he was a Flagman for the Railroad. By 1930, he and his family was living in Long Branch, NJ. A residence in Long Branch was 270 Chelsea Avenue; it is unknown whether that's the only home he had in NJ.
Clarence and his wife are buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, NJ.
* Various sources give different birth dates for Clarence:
Nov. 9, 1888 (WWII draft card)
Nov. 9, 1889 (gravestone, US Veterans gravesites)
1890 (1920 and 1930 census based on his age)
Nov. 9, 1891 (Elva Lee's letter)
Nov. 1890 (1900 census)
Joseph Jessiop Lee (1920-1993)
Joseph Jessiop Lee was born in Oakland, IN. He and his parents moved to Long Branch in 1924, and he grew up in Monmouth County, NJ.
In his youth, he was a lifeguard in Long Branch, NJ for many years. He graduated from Star of the Sea parochial school in 1932.
He first played football at Long Branch High School, where he was on the varsity for three campaigns starting in 1935. He began as an end, but later moved to tackle, then guard and finally wound up at center. He also played intramural basketball at Long Branch and was a weightman (discus, shotput) on the perennial state championship track squads. He graduated in 1938.
He was a freight conductor on a Pennsylvania railroad for five years before entering Temple University.
He received an athletic scholarship to Temple University, where he was a member of the varsity gridiron squad for four years. While only a freshman in 1945 "he played fullback and end for the Owls' best post-war 11 that won seven and lost one. For his last three years at Temple, he was the stellar end for Coach Ray Morrison, who gained fame at Southern Methodist University for his aerial circus. In 1947, Lee was the 14th leading pass receiver of the nation." [source: article "Joe Lee Played All Grid Positions" by Jim Sullivan, printed 1956/57 in an unknown newspaper]
While at Temple, Lee also played some basketball. He started with the physical education course, but later switched to journalism. Lee was a radio newswriter for WFIL in Philadelphia and was the assistant sports editor of the yearbook in college. He also was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism fraternity. He graduated from Temple in 1949.
In 1949, he played with two teams of the American Football League, first with the Wilkes-Barre Bullets and later with the Jersey City Giants. While playing for Wilkes-Barre, he also served as the publicity director. Lee finished out the 1949 campaign with the Long Branch Sea Hawks and in 1950, he was quarterback for the Long Branch Indians. He finished his lengthy gridiron history in 1951 with the Oceanport Warriors.
He married Margaret Jean Fenton in 1951 at St. Thomas Church in Goshen, CT. The reception was held at the Fenton family home in Connecticut.
He also played in the Long Branch City Softball League for two years with the Catholic War Veterans. He alternated between first base, third base and the outfield. He also played basketball with the YMCA City League champs of 1950, Camp Coles.
In the 1950s, Lee was the editor of the Oakhurst Home News and the Eatontown Sentinel. He also was connected with the Monmouth Message.
He held several positions at the Asbury Park Press, including Sports Editor, Special Assignments, Copy Editor and Associate Editor. He also was a golf columnist from 1957 to 1988 for the Asbury Park Press. In the 1970s, he covered the National Football League's New York Giants and established professional sports coverage at the Asbury Park Press.
Joseph was an avid golfer and enjoyed "fix it" projects. His hobbies include model railroad building, in HO gauge, and writing.
He was active in community service. He was a past assistant cubmaster of Wanamassa Pack 43 and later a committee member of Wanamassa Pack 143. He was also a director of the Ocean Township Little League and formerly managed the runnerup Cardinals.
He was a charter member of the Ocean Township Lions Club and served as its secretary. He was zone chairman of the Lions in 1954-55, and was the deputy district governor of the Lions in 1955-56. Later, he was a member of the North Shore Lions Club and an active member of the Jersey Shore Winter Golf League.
He retired after 31 years with The Asbury Park Press and moved with his wife, Margaret Jean Fenton to Kauai, HI, to enjoy golf.
In 2001, he was inducted into the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame for "Media."
Joseph's cremated remains were spread at The Prince Golf Course in Princeville, Kauai, HI.
In his youth, he was a lifeguard in Long Branch, NJ for many years. He graduated from Star of the Sea parochial school in 1932.
He first played football at Long Branch High School, where he was on the varsity for three campaigns starting in 1935. He began as an end, but later moved to tackle, then guard and finally wound up at center. He also played intramural basketball at Long Branch and was a weightman (discus, shotput) on the perennial state championship track squads. He graduated in 1938.
He was a freight conductor on a Pennsylvania railroad for five years before entering Temple University.
He received an athletic scholarship to Temple University, where he was a member of the varsity gridiron squad for four years. While only a freshman in 1945 "he played fullback and end for the Owls' best post-war 11 that won seven and lost one. For his last three years at Temple, he was the stellar end for Coach Ray Morrison, who gained fame at Southern Methodist University for his aerial circus. In 1947, Lee was the 14th leading pass receiver of the nation." [source: article "Joe Lee Played All Grid Positions" by Jim Sullivan, printed 1956/57 in an unknown newspaper]
While at Temple, Lee also played some basketball. He started with the physical education course, but later switched to journalism. Lee was a radio newswriter for WFIL in Philadelphia and was the assistant sports editor of the yearbook in college. He also was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism fraternity. He graduated from Temple in 1949.
In 1949, he played with two teams of the American Football League, first with the Wilkes-Barre Bullets and later with the Jersey City Giants. While playing for Wilkes-Barre, he also served as the publicity director. Lee finished out the 1949 campaign with the Long Branch Sea Hawks and in 1950, he was quarterback for the Long Branch Indians. He finished his lengthy gridiron history in 1951 with the Oceanport Warriors.
He married Margaret Jean Fenton in 1951 at St. Thomas Church in Goshen, CT. The reception was held at the Fenton family home in Connecticut.
He also played in the Long Branch City Softball League for two years with the Catholic War Veterans. He alternated between first base, third base and the outfield. He also played basketball with the YMCA City League champs of 1950, Camp Coles.
In the 1950s, Lee was the editor of the Oakhurst Home News and the Eatontown Sentinel. He also was connected with the Monmouth Message.
He held several positions at the Asbury Park Press, including Sports Editor, Special Assignments, Copy Editor and Associate Editor. He also was a golf columnist from 1957 to 1988 for the Asbury Park Press. In the 1970s, he covered the National Football League's New York Giants and established professional sports coverage at the Asbury Park Press.
Joseph was an avid golfer and enjoyed "fix it" projects. His hobbies include model railroad building, in HO gauge, and writing.
He was active in community service. He was a past assistant cubmaster of Wanamassa Pack 43 and later a committee member of Wanamassa Pack 143. He was also a director of the Ocean Township Little League and formerly managed the runnerup Cardinals.
He was a charter member of the Ocean Township Lions Club and served as its secretary. He was zone chairman of the Lions in 1954-55, and was the deputy district governor of the Lions in 1955-56. Later, he was a member of the North Shore Lions Club and an active member of the Jersey Shore Winter Golf League.
He retired after 31 years with The Asbury Park Press and moved with his wife, Margaret Jean Fenton to Kauai, HI, to enjoy golf.
In 2001, he was inducted into the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame for "Media."
Joseph's cremated remains were spread at The Prince Golf Course in Princeville, Kauai, HI.
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