The Dickinson press., 1908-02-29

shock and a.personal grief to each n
His death occurred February 22, in St
Joseph's hospital, Brainerd, Mimi.
whittier he went early in January. Or
January 13 he was operated upon for ap.
pendicitis and gall stones but the wound
did not heal properly and a second opera
ton took place on February 10. But
even this failed and p~eritonitis ended his
life at 9 a. m. February 70. He was con.
scious to the last, rernarking to Mrs
Lee "NNhat, a pretty day for Washing
toms birthday" The end c~ameesuddenly
and p%ainlessly. Mrs. Lee was with hel
husband during most of his illness and
was with him at the last but the children,
calledin haste, did not arrive until their
father had. passed away.
George w. Lee, son of Robert Lee,
was born at Lees Bay, Leelenau county,
Michigan, December 20, 1860, and was
the second Of six children. When he
was five years old his parents moved to
Northport, Michigan, where his father
engaged in the milling business. There
the son gained the thorough knowledge
OF the lumber business and of -four max
ing, which he put to such successful use
in his W business later n
Mr.. Lee was educated in the common
schools and graduated from the May
hew Business College in Detroit, Mich
igan. On November 5, 1882, he was
united in marriage to Jeanette L. White.
also of Northport, and to them were born
one son, Rufus Bixby, and one daughter,
Halle Lenoirs, now Mrs. W.,L. Prindle.
In 1881 Mr.. Lees father purchased
property in Gladstone, N. d., and
George came out in; March, 1882. In the
fall of 1883, MI. Lee. ST., having sold
all his Northport milling interests, both
families removed to Gladstone, where
they engaged in the milling business.
They were among the pioneer settlers
and their enterprise was of inestimable
value to Gladstone and the surrounding
country. Mrs. George Lees sisters, Mrs.
M. c. Brown and Mrs. ]. L. Shelp, came
to Gladstone, the one in 1885 and the
other in 1000, and with their families still
reside there.
When in 1893, Robert Lee died,
George succeeded to the ownership of
the Touring mill. The many discourage
ing features incident to carrying on such
an industry in a new country were one
by one overcome and the business n
larged until at the time of his death he
handled flour, (ground at his own mill).
grain; lumber, machinery and building
material and owned besides several
hundred acres of land which he farmed
successfully.
. Mr.. Lee was a stanch republican and
prominent in the politics of the county
and holding the responsible posi-.
ton of county treasurer two terms, 1890
to 1894, and serving the county as COM
missioner from the second district. two
terms.
He was a loyal Mason, a charter mem
Der of Dickinson Lodge No. g A. F. &
A. M. and a member Of Columbian
Chapter, while both himself and Mrs.
Lee belonged to the Golden Rule chap.
ter of the Eastern Star.
George W.. Lee had the faculty of
making and keeping friends because he
was friendly, Straightforward and cordial.
Unselfishness was a marked character
istic and many an one will miss his
generous aid. 7#
Mr.. Lee had perhaps more than
premonition that he would not live to re-
turn from Brainerd and in a calm man.
ner arranged all his business affairs and
indicated the disposition he wished made
of his property and went bravely forth to
i WAAoSSVSA 0ON q AZ " AAAA
Cut down in the prime of life, the death
of Mr.. Lee is a shock and bereavement
to a large circle of friends. He will be
greatly missed, and the deepest sorrow
is felt for the family so sorely berea9ved;
son-in-law, w. L. Prindle, to MOURN his
loss, also a mother, two sisters and a
brother, his mother and sister, Mrs
Baldwin, at present residing in Plain,
Mont, Mrs. c. A. Luckfeld, whose home
is at Beatty, Nevada, and his s%tep.brother,
N. c. Morgan, living at Omena, Wash.
kilograms of coincidence were re.
ceived from many friends and relatives
in the east and west, who were unable to
attend the obsequies.
The Masonic order of Brainerd, which
had been very thoughtful in sending
flowers and attending to all necessary
details, sent an escort, which accom-.
panied the remains as far as Staples.
On Sunday evening Rufus Lee arrived
home with his fathers body and was met
at the train by many sorrowing and
sympathetic friends. Mrs. Lee and Mrs
Prindle returned by an earlier train.
In the home he so lately left, for three
days the body remained and many there
were who came to gaze for the last time
upon the face of their friend.
"A wealth of flowers, which in life he
loved so we'll, surrounded and covered
the casket. Beautiful roses, pure white
lilies and carnations, emblems. of the
Masonic orders, emblems of the hope
that clings to the cross and a faith that is
an anchor to the soul, all the incense ,oi
love and reverence, spoke %eloquently Of
the life beyond.
A special funeral train arrived from
Dickinson at one p. m. Thursday bring,
ing 100 people, mostly members of the
several local Masonic f%raternities and
other friends. s.
A short service was held at, the Lee
residence in the presence of the family
.iptimate. friends. and Masonic brethren
scripture was read by Rev. c. E. Dob
son;Rev A. J. Baldwin offered prayer
and a quartet, composed Of Miss F urtney
Mrs. b. Thompson, Messrs. Dobsor
and Robert Lytle, sang."On the Resur,
rection Morn"
The casket was escorted to the Metho
dist church by the Masons, Brother.