Thomas B. Lee

THOMAS BRUNCE LEE.

Thomas Brunce Lee is a representative of one of the most prominent and honored pioneer families of Henry county. The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of this county without learning of the close, intimate and helpful connection of the Lee family with its public affairs. Thomas Brunce Lee was born in Bond county, Illinois, June 29, 1835, and is a son of John and Charity (Smith) Lee. In 1836 the father removed to Henry county with his family, locating at the head of Flint creek in New London township, where he purchased a claim from his brother-inlaw, Eaton Smith, consisting of a little more than one hundred and sixty acres of land. There were no improvements upon this property, but with characteristic energy he began its cultivation and development and in course of time built a double log house and log barn. He then broke the wild land, placing it under the plow and planting seed which brought forth good harvests. As the years passed he transformed this once wild tract into a fine farm, upon which he continued to reside throughout his active business career. He afterward sold a part of the farm, but retained forty acres up to the time of his death, which occurred April 21, 1878, when he was eighty-one years of age. He had for some years survived his wife, who died in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years, the burial being made in Farfel cemetery. 'Mrs. Lee was born in eastern Tennessee east of Nashville, in 1800, and later her people removed to Illinois, where she was married. In the family of John and Charity (Smith) Lee were twelve children. Eliza Ann became the wife of William Miller and is now deceased. Jane married John Redfearn and has also passed away. Sarah became the wife of John D. Hale and is deceased. Elmira is the deceased wife of Isaac Redfearn. Samuel is living in New London and is one of the venerable and respected pioneer residents of this part of the state. John has passed away. Julia Ann is the wife of James Crawford, Sr., who is mentioned on another page of this volume. William is living in New London, but at the present writing is visiting in California. Thomas B. is the subject of this review. Polly Ann is the deceased wife of Stephen Lewis. Charity Ann married John Lewis and has also passed away. Louisa, who complete the family, is the deceased wife of Newton Jones.

Thomas Brunce Lee was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life when much of the land was still in its primitive condition, when the streams were unbridged and the forests uncut and when the work of progress and development lay largely in the future. He shared with the family in the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life and also in the pleasures which were common in those early days. His education was gained in one of the old-time subscription schools, but later a free school was established, its sessions being held in an old log building with slab benches, luncheon floor and other primitive furnishings. The desk was made by laying a rough board upon wooden pins driven into the wall and the school session was of short duration, being held principally through the winter months, for the labors of the children needed upon the farm throughout the remainder of the year. When not busy with his text-books Mr. Lee was engaged in farm labor and he continuously followed the occupation as a life work until 1 88 1, when he removed to New London, where he has since lived retired. He purchased two hundred and seven acres of land on section 12, New London township. He carried on general farming and stock-raising, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and also raising a good grade of stock, whereby his income was materially increased, for he always found a ready sale on the market for the products of his place.

On the 7th of August, 1862, Mr. Lee enlisted at New London as a member of Company K, Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry and was mustered into the army at Mount Pleasant. The regiment was assigned to General Sherman's command and he participated in all of the battles and skirmishes with the Twenty-fifth Iowa. They were in almost constant fighting and he also participated in the march to the sea. He took part in the battle of Arkansas Post. Vicksburg and the siege of that city, the battle of Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge. Ringgold, Kenesaw Mountain. Resaca and Columbia, South Carolina, the Twenty-fifth Iowa being the first regiment to enter the last named city. Mr. Lee Avas also in the engagements at Savannah, Georgia, at Buford, South Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, and at Goldsboro, being at the last named place at the time of General Lee's surrender. He took part in other engagements of lesser importance and was also in the grand review in Washington, D. C, videre the victorious army marched through the streets of the city amid the cheers of thousands who rejoiced that the war had been brought to a successful close. He was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, and then returned to Henry county, where he resumed his farming operations.

On the 9th of March, 1873, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bridges, a daughter of Napoleon and Sarah (Hackleman) Bridges and a native of Des Moines county, born in Pleasant Grove township. Mr. Lee is one of the worthy and prominent citizens of Henry county. He belongs to the methodist Episcopal church, in which he has for many years served as trustee. Politically he is a republican, but without aspiration for office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs in former years. His careful conduct of his farming interests and his utilization of the resources at his command made him one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community and now with a comfortable competence he is living retired in New London.

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.