Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-04-17
ROBERT Lee 4
MAN Who ROSE
FROM BOTTOM
Poor Boy, Miner, Mining Engineer,
Superintendent and Business
Man is Lies History.
INDUSTRIAL PIONEER HERE
Connected With Coal Valley Mining
Corporation for Fifty Years,
Rising to Higher Office.

A LIES story-tale of a truly sue
cessful, inspiring career-woven by
individual merit without technical
training 'other than that CLEANED in
the unsparing school of experience,
was brought to a close at 2:15 yes
terday afternoon when Robert Lee,
ST., 81. answered the call of death
at his home. 727 Twentieth street
Man of driving energy, kindly but
determined disposition. his OPP
timism overcoming obstacles that
seemed Observation-Disclosures was
Robert Lee, truly self-made, poor
boy, mining engineer. superintend-
ent Of mines, and business man.
For % years a resident of Rock
Island ard fer almost that many
more prominent in mining circles in
this and Mercer county. Robert Lee
can 6ttingly be termed an indus
trial pioneer of this section of ILL
uois
He was born in Durham, Eng
land, July &c, 1884 and at the age of
IA came to America with his par
ents The family located in Pitts
burg and later in Washington coun-
ty. Pa. there residing until 1851. In
that year, with his parents, the
young man removed to Hawesville,
ky., on the lower Ohio river. and it
was as q miner in nearby coal
mines that the youth got his start.
When the family removed to Ind
lana, he remained at the mines
On Aug. 81, 1855 he was united in
marriage to Miss Ann Haddick of
Cannelltown, Ind, and after brief
visit at the home of his parents N
Indiana, the young couple came 10
Rock Island.
First Miner Hired.
It was at this time that the Coal
Valley Mining company had organ
lied and was beginning to open
mines at Coal Valley. To Coal Val
ley he journeyed seeking employ
ment. His mining experience gave
him preference and he was the first
miner hired by the new organiza-
ton. On the evening of Sept. II,
1855, he had completed his first
days work for the Coal Valley con-
Germ.
Diligent study coupled with ma
tural ability in technical problems
early gained recognition for him
from his employers and he gradual
" advanced until he was recogRiz-
ed as mining engineer for the cor
poration.
Deciding upon a venture for him
self, however, he leased and opened
q. mine for local trade at Coal Val
ley. Soon afte- it began operation
the Coal Valley Mining company
offered and he accepted the position
of uperintendent of its railway
lines. and continued in this capacity
until 1865
In that year. with a partner. he
purchased a general merchandise
store at Coal Valley, its doors being
opened under the firm name of Lee
and Bardsley. He retained his post
with the Mining company and with |
in a short time signed a contract |
which made him superintendent of
mines. He occupied this post until |
1859 when he severed connections |
with the Coal Valley corporation, |
in order that he could devote him |
self entirely to the interests of his |
business. In 1875 he |
disposed of his store and retired.
OPENS New Mines.
In August. 1878, however. he &C
cepted a proposition to locate and
establish a new mine for the Coal |
Valley company in Mercer county. |
In the next two years he devoted |
himself to opening mines at Cable |
and Sherrard. By this time he be- |
came recognized as an authority and
expert in mining and technical mat
tiers and was placed in general su-
pervision of the company's work. |
During this period he resided pF1n-
cipally ia Rock Island
Becoming advanced in age, Mr..
Lee in September. 1907 rendered his
resignation. II was accepted on
September :. on the 51st anniver-
sary of the day on which he was
lirat employed by the Coal Valley
corporation
Mr.. Lee was a charter member of
the Rock Island lodge l. 0. o. F.
and was also a member of the Trio
Lodge OF Masons.
Surviving besides the widow, are