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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
CARROLL A. LEE is a farmer
residing one-half mile south of Ritzville. He was born in Hendricks
county, Indiana, November 12, 1863, and in early life removed to Highland
county, Ohio, where his education was acquired in the district schools.
Upon attaining his majority he started in life on his own responsibility
and came west to Tacoma, where he stayed only a short time. Then
he went to Oregon, and from there came to Ritzville in 1885 and went to
work as a section hand on the railroad. Later he worked as a clerk
in a store in Ritzville, and in the spring of 1886 he took employment on
a ranch on Cow creek. He soon filed on a homestead, and bought a
well driller which he operated with success and profit until he sold his
claim in 1898. He then purchased for six dollars an acre the home
where he now lives, consisting of a half section of choice agricultural
land, and in 1903 he refused fifty dollars an acre for the same property.
His farm is improved with a large twelve-room house, an excellent barn,
and a choice orchard.
Mr. Lee's parents are B. F. and Nancy J. (Skillman)
Lee, natives of Ohio, in which state most of their lives were spent.
B. F. Lee is a farmer by occupation, and is a second cousin of General
Robert E. Lee. His wife is a sister of Dr. Evan Skillman, a physician
of note, and her family includes many other learned people. Mr. and
Mrs. B. F. Lee came to Ritzville in 1893, and are now living with our subject.
They have had, besides the subject of our sketch, five sons and three daughters,
William, deceased, O. M., Govner, deceased, Frank O., Jennie, Sylvia, R.
H., and Emma.
Carroll A. Lee was married, 1903, to Lottie
L. Simpson, daughter of John and Martha (Key) Simpson, natives of North
Carolina. Her family came to Missouri in 1886, and from there to
Washington in 1898, locating near Ritzville. In 1903 the parents
returned to North Carolina, where they now live, taking with them between
ten and twelve thousand dollars which they cleared while farming in Adams
county. They were parents of the following children: Alice, Richard,
Eliza, Lottie C., Cole, Daisy, John, George, Jessie, Mary, and James.
Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been parents of three
children, Clara E., Rettia E., and Laura L.
Politically, Mr. Lee is an active Democrat.
He has repeatedly held the office of deputy sheriff of Adams county, and
was once the nominee of his party for the office of sheriff, but was unsuccessful
at the polls. He is a member of the K. of P. fraternity, where he
has served two terms in the grand lodge. He also holds membership
in the Red Men order.
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