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McCook Daily Gazette 2/22/46 - JAMES I. LEE EARLY RESIDENT TAKEN BY DEATH.

James I. Lee, homesteading pioneer and early-day Burlington employe in McCook and later the operator of several businesses here, passed away in McCook Friday. Declining health had kept him bedfast recently. The remains are at the Breland Funeral Home awaiting word from his son R. D. Lee of Richmond, Calif. before funeral arrangements are made. Burial will be in Memorial Park beside the grave of his wife, Mrs. Ella Lee. Besides the son, he is survived by several grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Rose Lee Barnes of McCook and a number of other relatives.
     Born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan on July 13, 1855, Mr. Lee was the son of Joel T. and Orrisa Lee. In the early 1880's he moved westward and homesteaded near Sterling, Colo. After proving up on his homestead, he came to McCook and worked in the Burlington shops for several years. He then purchased the McCook Ice company and he and Mrs. Lee operated the business until 1912. He operated the Standard Oil company bulk station here for a time and then opened one of the first garages and auto taxi services in the city. In later years he devoted his time to his ranch in Hayes county. The Lees at one time owned numerous business and residential properties in McCook and considerable farm propery. Both were active in civic, fraternal, and political affairs during their long residence here.

McCook Daily Gazette, Thurs.,Jan13,1949 p8

Mrs. Charles W. Barnes

Rose Lily Cephranette Lee, youngest daughter of Joel T. and Orressea

     Cephrenette (Simonds) Lee, was born near Schoolroft, Mich., Nov.26, 1868, and departed this life at McCook, Neb., on Jan.11, 1949, at the age of 80 years, one month and 18 days. She was the last member of this family, her parents, three brothers and a sister preceding her in death.
     She spent her girlhood in Michigan and graduated from high school in Schoolcroft. She lived for a time at Elkhart and other cities in Indiana and her parents homesteaded near Sterling, Colo., in the late '80's. She came west in 1892 to join her brother, Joe who was a Burlington engineer here.
     She was married to Charles Wood Barnes in this city in January,1894. Four children were born to this union, two of whom, Maryette and Albert, preceded her in death.
      Mrs. Barnes was a member of the Episcopal church and was active in its work until a few years ago. She served in all the women's organizations and during the early days helped with the building of the little chapel, now used as the Parish hall of St. Alban's church.
     She was a charter member of the Pythian Sisters, served in all local and state offices, and was a Past Grand Chief of the organization. She also reprented the state organization at the supreme lodge. She was a charter member of the American Legioon Auxiliary and served as one of its first officers. She was active in war work during World War 1.
     Mrs. Barnes was a charter member of the McCook Woman'Äôs club, and served as its first treasurer.
     Her late husband was the publisher of The McCook Rebuplican, one of the city's pioneer newspapers, and she ably assisted him in the publishing and printing business. After his death she and her son continued the printing and publishing business. With these many activities and her family duties, she led a busy and useful life.
     Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Julia C. Wiedman, and her son, Theodore F. Barnes, both of McCook, other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Alban's Episcopal church with burial in the family plot at Indianola beside her husband and two children.

Submitted by Jacqueline Lee Ellis, granddaughter <JEllis383@aol.com>

 

Full obits reproduced with the permission of the McCook Daily News. Thank you!

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McCook Tribune, March 24, 1913, Monday evening
Nebraska, Red Willow Co.

Joe Lee Dead - Word from Mrs. Lee at Sterling, Colorado, last Friday, announced the death of her husband, Joseph Lee, brother of Mrs. C. W. Barnes and Mr. James I. Lee of our city. Mrs. Barnes and Mr. Lee departed for Sterling on No. 3, the same night. At this writing local relatives have received no additional information. Joe Lee was for years a locomotive engineer on the McCook division and will be remembered by many of the older employees on the division. He moved to the neighborhood of Sterling several years since, and has been engaged in farming.

LATER - Jos. P. Lee was 45 years of age. His death is the result of a rupture. He is survived by his wife. There are no children. Besides both aged parents of deceased are living, two sisters, Mrs. Champlin of New York City and Mrs. C. W. Barnes of our city; two brothers, James I. Lee of our city and Alva Lee.      Arrangements now contemplate burial today, which will be the plan unless it is later decided to await the arrival from New York of the sister.
      This is the first member of the family to go. The parents are 85 and 82 years of age respectively.

Joseph Lee, my great uncle
Submitted by Jacqueline Lee Ellis <JEllis383@aol.com>

 

McCook Tribune June 2, 1913 -

DEATH WAS BUSY IN McCOOK SUNDAY NIGHT
Three citizens passed away Within Three Hours' Time

Three citizens passed on to their rewards, Sunday evening, within a period of three hours. All have been ill for some time and their going was not unexpected. Father and Mother Lee, parents of Mrs. C. W. Barnes and J. I. Lee of our city, died at 8 and 10 o'clock, respectively, the father at the General Hospital and the mother at the home of the son J. I. Lee. Both have been feeble for a long while, being each over 80 years of age. ...

OBITUARY Joel Taylor Lee was born at Camden, N. J., November 11, 1832. Orrisa Cephranette Simonds entered this life at Wheatland, N. Y., June 22, 1829. They were married in Palmyra, Mich., April 6, 1856, and about twenty-six years ago moved to Sterling, Colo., where they lived with their son Joseph P. Since his death March 21st of this year, They have made their home with their son, James I. Lee of our city. They are survived by four children, James I. Lee and Mrs. C. W. Barnes of this city, Mrs. Flora D. Champlin of New York City, and Orville T. Lee of Elkhart, Indiana. Services will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. I. Lee, Tuesday afternoon at three o'clock, and burial will be made at Sterling, Colorado, Wednesday.

(Note: The third death was Patrick McNeil of Indianola.)

Submitted by Jacqueline Lee Ellis, great-granddaughter <JEllis383@aol.com>

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© Oct 2003 for NEGenWeb Project by JL Ellis, T&C Miller