----Source: Wisconsin Biographies - Dane Co - Lee, John D. Biographical Review of Dane County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Biographical Review Publishing Co. 1893, Vol II, pages 450-451.

John D. Lee, a resident of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, was born in Orange County, New York, January 21, 1827, son of Daniel and Sarah (Aber) Lee. The father was a farmer by occupation, who had come from England and located in New England, from where he afterward removed to NY. There were fourteen children in that family, and almost all of them grew to maturity. John D. Lee was given a common school education in Orange County, New York, and then engaged in farming.

In 1865 he came to Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the hardware business, first with a Mr. Simpson, the firm being Simpson & Company, and afterward with a Mr. Baldwin, when the firm became Lee & Baldwin.

Our subject continued his business in Sparta, WI, until 1887, when he sold out, and in 1889 he removed to Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, in order to give his daughter the benefit of the educational advantages of the capital. John D. Lee was married in Orange County, New York, in 1852. His daughter, Grace, graduated at the University of Wisconsin, in Jun 1892, and now is an efficient teacher at Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin.

In politics Mr. Lee is a Republican and upholds the principles of that organization upon all occasions. He is a worthy citizen and is highly respected by all of his friends.