Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 1043.
 
CAPTAIN JOSEPH P. LEE

     a popular and leading citizen of Klamath Falls, is now holding the
responsible position of assessor in his county. His residence is ten miles south
of Klamath Falls and in addition to the public business the discharges, he
oversees his farm and stock interests. Joseph P. was born on November 15,  1840
in Maury county, Tennessee. William T. Lee, his father, was a native of Virginia
and a first cousin to General Robert E. Lee, who traces his ancestry back to
colonial days. He died in Tennessee at the age of seventy-seven. He had married
Elizabeth Aldmond, born near Petersburg, Virginia, who lived to be eighty-five
years of age. This worthy couple has seven children, only one of whom is living
besides our subject, named Dr. J. G. Lee, a prominent physician in the old home
county in Tennessee. Our subject had limited opportunities to gain an education
but made the best of them and at the age of fifteen engaged in the drug business
with his brother, continuing there until the war broke out when he , enlisted in
Company H, First Tennessee Infantry. He responded to the first call and for
three years was captain of his company. He served the Confederacy faithfully and
participated in the battles of Sheep's Pass, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville,
Chickamauga, Atlanta, Jonesborough and many others. In addition to this he was
in very arduous service in skirmishing much of the time. He was wounded three
times and once very severely. After the war he returned to Tennessee and took
charge of his father's place and in 1886, decided to come west. He was appointed
to take charge of the farm on the Klamath agency and held that position for
three years. His wife was assistant teacher in the Indian school. They resigned,
owing to the change of administration and came to Klamath Falls, where they
opened a hotel. A few years later, Mr. Lee decided to take up the stock business
so secured the estate where he now resides and has given his attention to this
since.  He has a fine meadow farm and raises good stock.
     On December 31, 1867, Mr. Lee married Miss Dellie Davis, a distant relative
of the noted Jefferson Davis. She was born in the same vicinity as her husband.
To this union the following named children have been born: William T., married
and following general merchandising in Hanford, California; Emma, wife of F. H.
Mills an attorney of Klamath Falls; Minnie, the wife of E. B. Henry, a merchant
of Klamath Falls; Aggie; and Louise.
     Mr. Lee has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for forty years. He and his
wife are members of the Christian church and are highly respected people. In
June, 1004, Captain Lee's name appeared on the Democratic ticket for assessor of
the county and although the county is strongly Republican, he was elected by a
handsome majority and makes a very efficient and reliable officer.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.