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Note: enter. He married Eliza Welch on May 24, 1858 and seven years later, in 1865, they moved to Michigan, and settled on a farm of eighty acres located in Douglass township, which land the elder Lee obtained in trade for an old horse. Mr. Lee cleared his land, added the necessary improvements and engaged in general farming, also working at this trade, building many houses and buildings throughout this locality.
As a citizen, James Bruce Lee was especially active, having served as township supervisor, township treasurer, township clerk, highway commissioner and for about 20 years was a member of the school board. In politics, Mr. Lee was a Republican. Mr. Lee was a well-known member and worker of this denomination. James Bruce and Eliza Lee were the parents of nine children: Josiah; Lewis Napoleon; Druzilla, the wife of Jeremiah A. Bennett, of Douglass township. George A., who died on July 26, 1911; Matilda, the wife of Charles Hawkins, of Ferris township, Montcalm county; Otis, who lives in Richland township, Ionia county; William R., of Douglass township; Phoebe, who died on December 28, 1913, and Harvey, of Entrican, Douglass township, Montcalm county. . . "
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Pg. 521 of History of Montcalm County
Lewis Napoleon Lee, successful farmer and citizen prominent in the public life of Douglass township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born on June 26, 1860, in Beverly township, Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, a son of James Bruce and Fliza (Welch) Lee, natives of Canada, the former born near Troy, on Septemher 17, 1841, a son of Peter and Rebecca (Shafer) Lee, and the latter a daughter of William Shafer and wife.
James Bruce Lee was reared on the home farm in Canada, and was educated in the public schools of his native community, after which he worked as a farmer with his father, at a later time taking up the trade of a carpenter. James B. Lee was married on May 24. 1858, to Eliza Welch and seven years later, in 1865, they moved to Michigan, and settled on a farm of eighty acres located in Douglass township, which land the elder Lee obtained in trade for an old horse. Mr. Lee cleared his land, added the necessary improvements and engaged in general farming, also working at his trade, building many houses and buildings throughout this locality.
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History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions…with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families; by John W. Dasef, Indianapolis : B. F. Bowen, 1916, p395-397 James abandoned his Michigan family sometime in 1881. He shows up in the Leroy Township, Audubon County, Iowa census in 1900 supposedly married to Elizabeth [--?--]. They were still living in in Leroy in the 1910 census. According to that census they had been married for 27 years. This would mean that James and Elizabeth joined together about 1883. In the 1900 census, Elizabeth was listed as having had no children with none living. In the 1910 census Stella M. Lee, age 19, and listed as a daughter to James is living in their home. It appears that Stella was adopted by James and Elizabeth.
It is unknown whether James Bruce Lee and Elizabeth were ever really married. They lived as husband and wife but it is unknown whether James divorced his first wife, Caroline Eliza Welch after he abandoned her and their nine children in Michigan. When James died his will left his $10,000 estate to his Michigan family, not Stella in Iowa. After paying his debts it was a little over $5000.
1900 Census: Leroy, Audubon, Iowa; Roll: T623 416; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 27.
24, 25
Lee, James Head W M Sept 1841 58 M35 Canada Canada Canada 1868 32 Na Carpenter
Lee, Elizabeth Wife W F Oct. 1842 57 M35 0 0 England England England 1856 44
1910 Census: Leroy, Audubon, Iowa; Roll: T624_391; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 24; Image: 342
9 9
Lee, James Head M W 67 M1 27 Canada Canada Canada 1868 Na English Carpenter House (indexed as Agnes)
Lee, Elizabeth Wife F W 67 M1 27 England England England 1870 English none
Lee, Stella M. Daughter F W 19 S Iowa Iowa Iowa English none
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Newspaper article from unknown newspaper (appears to be from Audubon, Iowa) transcribed by Susan Kimes Burgess October 25, 2006
"STRANGE AFFAIR IN FAMILY MATTERS
IN THE DEATH OF JAMES LEE SOME STARTLING REVELATIONS ARE MADE.
The death of James Lee which occurred in Des Moines last Saturday and the filing of his will with county clerk John Horning on Tuesday brought to light some revelations of the man's past.
Mrs. Stella Harter, with whom the deceased made his home, took the documents of Mr. Lee to the county clerk and requested that the sealed envelope be opened. On opening the documents it was found to contain the last Will and testament of the deecased (sic) made here in Audubon in the year 1912. The will provides that $25 be given to a son, J. Ralph Lee, now deceased and $200 to Stella Harter. The balance of his estate he leaves to nine children, share and share alike, who reside at Westville, Montcalm county, Mich., as follows: Josiah Lee, Napolean Lee, Drusilla Bennett, George Lee, Matilda Lee, Ottis Lee, Willie Lee, Phoebe Lee, and Harvey Lee.
When Mr. Horning read the will Mrs. Harter was dumfounded, for she had never heard of any other children. She could scarcely believe the document, but no doubt it was true, and for the first time in her life did she hear the names of the persons whom Mr. Lee claimed as his children. This is also news to the people of Audubon and vicinity. Mr. Lee came here more than thirty years ago with his wife who died in 1911. The people here had never heard of a former marriage and so far as is known at this time Mr. Lee never mentioned the fact to a living soul here. Whether or not the mother of the nine children in Michigan is now living is not known. If she is still living she would be entitled to a one-third interest in the estate regardless of the will. If she is not living the children will receive their share unless Mrs. Harter takes the matter into court and attempts to establish her claim.
Recent developments indicate that Mr. Lee had been married three times. The first being with the mother of the nine named children, the second with the woman who came with him to Audubon in the 80's and died in 1911 and the third with the woman whom he married and divorced within a few months in 1915.
As time goes on and especially if the probating of the will be contested more will be known of the family in Michigan, all of which will be of interest to the people of this community.
In the will the deceased names F. L. Taylor as trustee and executor."
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Newspaper article from a Montcalm County, Michigan newspaper transcribed by Susan Kimes Burgess October 25, 2006.
"Leaves $10,000 To Children He Deserted in 1881
Stanton, March 15 --- For 38 years the seven children of James Lee who deserted them when they were small children thought their father dead. But Lee did not die until last month. In his will filed recently in Iowa he left his entire $10,000 estate to his children, his first having died in Douglas last August. The family lived at Westville when he disappeared. He had been married twice after leaving Montcalm. Lee's estate here was probated 36 years ago his family thinking him dead. Seven of the nine children are living: Joe of Kalamazoo, Louis N. and William of Douglas, Harvey of Cassopolis, Otis of Stanton, Mrs. Druzilla Bennett of Douglas, and Mrs. Matilda Hawkins of Ferris. George and Mrs. Phebe McClellan have died."
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"The Audubon Advocate," Tuesday, February 11, 1919
Transcribed by Susan Kimes Burgess, January 26, 2007
OLD RESIDENT DIES
James Lee died at the home of his adopted daughter, Mrs. Herman Harter, in Des Moines last Saturday. The body was brought to this city yesterday afternoon on the Rock Island, and after a short service held at the Presbyterian church conducted by Rev. E. B. Cousins, the body was laid to rest in Arlington Heights cemetery by the side of his wife and one child.
Mr. Lee was born in Canada October 17, 1841. When a young man he moved to Michigan where he resided until he moved to Audubon county, about thirty years ago. He has called this home most of the time since. Several years ago Mrs. Lee died and for the past few years Mr. Lee has made his home with his adopted daughter, Mrs. Herman Harter, of Des Moines, where he died. Mr. Lee lived for many years on his farm just north of Audubon. Mr. Lee was married again after his first wife died but the marriage was not a very congenial one and they lived together but a short time. He made frequent visits here since he has been making his home with his daughter in Des Moines, to see his old friends. He was a happy disposition and appeared to be quite rugged for one of his years on his last visit here. Mr. Lee was highly respected here by a large circle of friends. The Advocate joins in extending sympathy to the children who mourn the death of their father.
Note: {geni:about_me} James Bruce Lee was reared on the home farm in Canada, and was educated in the public schools of his native community, aftr which he worked as a farmer with his father, at a later time taking up the trade of a carp
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