Lee- James
Source: 1881 Montgomery County In History of H. W. Beckwith, p 174 (Chicago: HH Hill)
James LEE & Brother, grocers, Crawfordsville, began business in 1863 in the building now occupied by Peter SOMERVILLE. In 1864 they built the store room No. 3, 20 x 80, in which they carried on the grocery trade until 1878, when they erected their present building, 22 x 65. Beginning, they carried but a light stock, but now transact a business of about $25,000 a year. For some time they engaged in the wholesale trade, but the years of the panic compelled them to diminish their stock on account of the failures among their debtors. Their father, in an early day, went from Ky. to OH and married, then in 1822 moved to Montgomery Co, bringing his wife and two children. The family settled about two and a half miles northeast of Crawfordsville, on 360 acres of land. Mr. Lee became very popular in the democratic party. He was assoc. judge for 7 years, being on the bench at the same time as Judges STITT and NAYLOR, and also represented the co. in the legislature. He was a man with but little "book learning," yet practical and successful in his business. He was a member of the Regular Baptist church, and was the chief among the organizers of the first church in Montgomery Co. He died in 1855, at the age of 65. His wife, Priscilla LONG Lee, was a native of Butler, Co, Oh. They had 8 children, 6 of whom are living. James, the senior partner, was b. Aug 8, 1825 on the old Lee farm in Montgomery Co, experiencing a farmer's life till 1853, when he went to Calif. and engaged in mining and lumbering, also was awhile in the hotel business. Returning in 1860, he began business in Crawfordsville and during 1861 and 1862 traded in horses, since which time he has been with his brother in their present trade. He is strictly democratic and served 6 years as co. commissioner, during which time the courthouse, costing $35,000 was built, and all the streams bridged with iron bridges. he has been twice married: first to Martha HUTTON in 1847 of Va, who d. in 1848, and second to Mary A. BUNCH of Ky. They have two children. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Lee is said to be the oldest living white inhabitant born in Montgomery Co. David Lee, the other member of the firm, was b. April 13, 1833 on the home farm, and raised a farmer. He was married in 1860 to Mahala COURTNEY, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca JONES of Crawfordsville. They have 6 children. Mr. Lee is also a democrat, but quiet in the political arena. - typed by kbz