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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.


     JOHN F. NEE is a merchant and stockman residing one mile south of Miles postoffice at Fort Spokane.  Born June 2 1, 1848, in county Clare, Ireland, he was the son of Martin E. and Mary Nee, with whom he came to Richmond, Virginia, in 1850.  After arriving in this country he lived near Cold Sulphur Springs, in Rockbridge county, and at various other points in Virginia.  September 2, 1865, he enlisted with Company F, Second United States Infantry, at Wheeling, West Virginia.  As a soldier Mr. Nee traveled extensively over the South, being stationed at divers points, until 1877.  In that year during the Nez Perce War, still so fresh in the memories of western pioneers, he was ordered with his command, then at Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Lewiston, Idaho, with headquarters at Lapwai.  During the Bannock Indian raid, of 1878, Mr. Nee was sent into the Harney valley and other parts of Oregon, and soon after the establishment of Fort Chelan his company was ordered there.  He was next stationed at Fort Spokane, and the year following his coming to this fort his term of enlistment expired, whereupon he left the army.
     He at once took employment with F. R. Moore and August Goldsmith, who conducted a store near the fort.  He remained with this firm for a time, then settled on his present home at the mouth of the Spokane river and established a general merchandise store which he still conducts.  Besides his store Mr. Nee owns a quarter section of land, well improved with good house, outbuildings, and a ten-acre orchard of choice and carefully selected trees, and a small herd each of horses and cattle.
     John F. Nee was married to Margaret Kerwin, at Louisville, Kentucky, February 10, 1867.  Mrs. Nee is a native of Ireland, who came to the United States as a child.  This union has been blessed by nine children, John, William, Ida M., deceased, Jennie E., Thomas E., Melville A., James, Joseph and Albert.
 


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