Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-04-30
OBITUARY..


Tho Lsto John Lee.
We briefly noticed yesterday the death
on Thursday, in EastOn, of Mr.. John Lee,
one of the most esteemed citizens OF that
town, and father Of Mrs. Peter 8. McTague
of this city. Mr.. Lee was only taken i'll
on Friday Of last week and his complaints
were malarial fever and an affection Of the
kidneys, from which it was an impossible
ity for him to rally. Mr.. Lee was we'll
known here and the following sketch Of
him from the Argus will be read with
local interest
Mr.. Lee was born in the county Cavan,
IRELAND, February 3, 1915, and was conse-
auently ut the time of his death in his
sixty-scventh year. He came from family
in which there were four sons and six
daughters. In May, 1883, Mr.. Leo came
to this country and was soon afterWard en-
gagged OH the Philadelphia s. Reading rail
road. eight miles beyond Reading. rs fore
man for Richard McGrann. contractor. 1t
was at this job that Mr.. Lee obtained
thorough knowledge Of the contracting
business anil he soon started out in the
world to make his fortune. His first con.
tract was on the Lachine canal, two miles
from Montreal, Canada. After finishing
it MIR. Lee became partner in contract
at Owego, New York, ON the New York &
Erie railroad. From this place he went to
POughkcepsic, where he had y contract for
the laying out Of road bed for the Hud-
son River railroad company. Next We find
Mr.. Lee on i contract at MOntezuma for
railroad company, and later on the
Rochester branch of u railroad with
his headquarters at Honey Eye Falls.
From this plaa he proceeded to
Corning, N. Y, and finished contract for
the Philadelphia s. Eric railroad COM
pany. His next contract was at Dover,
N. j., for the Morris & Essex railroad
company. at the time the railroad was
built to New York city. He was afterward
q partner on contracts for the Union canal
company in Berks county, the Lebanon
Valley railroad company, at SOlOmOn's
Temple for the p. s. Il. company, ON the
Reading & Columbia railroad, and in 1864
at GaynOr's cut ON the Morris & Essex
railroad. After the cOmpletiOnsOf this job
MIR. Lee was engaged Oh contract for tho
Connecticut air line company at
Middletown. and afterward' on the
Longwood Valley railroad, now
called the High Bridge branch Of the
Central railroad of New Jersey. His next
and last contract was Oh the Boston u
South Mountain railroad. At this he
only worked three months. MIR. Lee had
several Other contracts, such as building
bridges and erecting stone walls. When
the contract for the building OF the Eas-
ton Jail was given out Mr.. Lee was ono OF
the contractors in partnership with the
late John Biglin, to whom MIR. Lee sold
his interest in the job and who completed
the building. Like other business men
4 TO- and
with, but he was successful in making
fortune, and leaves considerable prop
erty.
Mr.. Lee was married three times, tho
first time ut the age of nineteen, to Miss
Eleanora Callahan The fruits of this
marriage We're three children, two OF
whom are living-Mr. Phillip c. Lee, now
in Texas, engaged at cattle raising, and
whose family resides in Philadelphia, and
Mrs. p. ). .McTague, of Lancaster. Mrs.
Lee died at Lancaster in 1910. In 1847
Mr.. Lee married Miss Annie Jackson, of
Montreal, Canada. Five children blessed
this union, three of whom are living
Maggie, the wife Of Peter J. Gill, William
Lee and Miss Annie NJ. Lee, the latter Of
whom arrived home Just five minutes be-
fore her father death and two dead
John aud Catharine Jane. Mr.. Lees sec
ond wife died at Reading in 1858.
The deceased came to EastOn in the
spring of 1866. In the fall Of that year he
married Miss Alice Collins, who with her
two cl,ilslrn-Kate and Hush-survive
him. Mr.. Lees first and only residence in
EastOn was ut the homestead at the corner
of Third and Walnut streets.
Mr.. Lee was a man deserving of the
highest praise. He was Democrat Of
the old school and clung firmly through
life to tine principles of Jefferson,
Jackson and their successors, and
although not accustomed to Obtrude
his views too much ON others, he
was ever ready to answer for the faith
that was in him. He was one Of Eas-
toms valued and substantial citizens and
his departure will be felt in many circles.
He always enjoyed the confidence Of
his associates in business and was highly
esteemed by them. In SOCIAL gatherings
he was a genial and pleasant companion,
and enjoyed mirth and good fellowship,
although always careful to preserve the
decOrum Of i gentleman. His frank and
benevolent disposition rendered him much
esteemed, not only by his immediate friends.
but also by thc community in general. He
had kind word and pleasant greeting for
every Que 10 matter how lOwly their posi-
ton in life. Such is the brief sketch of a
noble man, 4 true friend, a kind and agree
able ncighbor, and al hOnored citizen.
Peace to his ashes.
Mr.. Lee will be buried on Tuesday
morning at ten o'clock, high mass being
celebrated! at St. Bernard's church.
s:-s. Jacob Roasb.
Mrs. Jaco1 ROath, of Marietta, died Of
cancer ut her residence in that borough
yesterday NOR ing, after a lingering and
painful! illness Mrs. Roath was daugh-
ter Of the late John Messersmith, Of this
city, and i, cousin Of George II. Messers.
smith, Of Chambersburs, whose death We
noticed a few days ago. She was woman
of marked picty, Of quiet, unobtrusive de-
meanOr, who attended to her domestic,
social anl religious duties without tho
least possible OstentatiOn. She leaves
many frienes and relatives in this city.
Miss ElInor Spenco.
News received from the west announces
the death ut Washington, Iowa, Oh the Gath
inst, OF Miss ElinOr Spence, for fifteen
years natrOn of the Home for Friend
less Children in this city. Her death re-
suited from acute pneumonia followed by
drOpsy. She WAS possessed of many wOm-
anly qualities which endeared her to all
with whom she associated. Her death
will be sincerely mcurned by a large cir
Gle of acqu,intances in this city.
school Matters.
The primary schools { heretofore desiS
nated) will occupy the new school build
;ucr o.>,,,or ~ 7 ;,,o ou6 Tou,nN Of rnnfa m,