Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 300 - 301  

SAMUEL W. LEE, an experienced farmer and stock-raiser, and of late years engaged in the real estate business, has fine residence property near the city limits of Wichita, embracing an acre of land, upon which he has constructed a handsome and convenient dwelling, which with its surroundings forms a complete and desirable suburban home. He came to Kansas in 1882, and for the first two years rented a farm in Kechi Township. He then purchased twelve and one-fifth acres in Lee's Addition to Wichita, which he subsequently sold at a good profit, and which was afterward platted into city lots. After parting with this property Mr. Lee bought land within the corporation, which, also platted in city lots, will in the near future be very valuable. 

     The branch of the Lee family to which our subject belongs has flourished principally in Pennsylvania for the last two generations, and in that State he was born in Washington County, on the 14th of January, 1850. He was the sixth in a family of nine children, the offspring of John and Jane Ann (Scott) Lee, who were also natives of the Keystone State, together with the paternal grandfather, Hugh Lee, and the maternal grandparents, William and Mary (Wylie) Scott. Grandmother Lee was a native of the State of Virginia The grandparents all spent their last days in Pennsylvania. 

     The father of our subject upon reaching manhood embarked in farming in his native county, where he spent his entire life, and passed away in April, 1856. The mother is still living, and occupies the old homestead in Washington County. Samuel W. acquired his early education in the district schools and later entered the college at Pittsburgh, Pa., but being dissatisfied with his experience there, started for the West when but nineteen years of age, and coming to this State spent at that time about two months in this region, being one month at the stockade, which is now the city of Wichita. He returned to his native State in the fall of that same year, and a few months later purchased seventy acres of land adjoining the old homestead in Washington County, upon which he operated in connection with the homestead of 200 acres until 1874. On the 21st of October of that year he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Jerome, a native of his own county, and who was born April 9, 1855. 

     Mrs. Lee was the second-born of Charles and Mary (Bebout) Jerome, whose family included three children. They also were natives of Pennsylvania, together with the maternal grandparents, Elisha and Mary (McClurg) Bebout. The parents of her father, John and Harriet (Miller) Jerome, were born in Virginia. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lee continued on the farm of our subject in Pennsylvania until the spring of 1882, and then Mr. L. made another visit to the West, with the intention of settling in Missouri. A brief experience, however, in that State convinced him that he would not be satisfied there, and he accordingly visited this county again and rented a farm in Kechi Township, upon which he remained until the purchase of which we have already spoken. 

     Mr. and Mrs. Lee have but two children living, Bessie L. and William A., who are eleven and five years of age respectively, and are pursuing their studies in the district school. Their eldest child died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Lee takes an active interest in politics and is a stanch adherent of the Republican party. He has served as School Treasurer and Director, and socially, is identified with the A. F. & A. M., at Wichita. Mrs. Lee, a lady greatly respected, is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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