Jesse LEE and Mary Ann (ROSSMAN) LEE

The following biographies, and the portraits, are from History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (1884) by H. R. Page pp. 117-8, 124, 128, 158.

The early history of Metamora is given by Miss Nettie A. COMSTOCK, as follows:

"Mr. and Mrs. LEE were the parents of seven sons, five of whom are still living, one having died a soldier in the late civil war and another, a few years since, at his home."

Jesse LEE was born in Greene County, N. Y., in 1807, and in 1815 went to Schoharie County with his parents, where he remained until 1825, thence to Genesee County, where he resided till 1831, when he came to Michigan. The following year he settled in Metamora, on section 33, taking up 160 acres of land from the government, on which he resided forty-eight years. At the time of his arrival in the township it did not contain a single wagon road and his nearest neighbor was ten miles away, and for blacksmithing, milling and family supplies, Rochester, eighteen miles distant, was the nearest point. The distance was often covered on foot by Mr. Lee, carrying log-chains, plow-points, &c. He was married in 1827, to Miss Mary Ann ROSSMAN, of the State of New York….

Four children are now living; James, the eldest, owns a farm adjoining the homestead; Leander resides in Saginaw, Hiram in Hadley and Henry resides in Mayfield. [Note: I think Orrin was the eldest. See below. - WH]

Mr. and Mrs. LEE have been living in Oakland County the past two years, but both declare that another spring will find them back on the old place once more….

Orrin LEE, deceased, was born in New York, in 1829, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1832, locating in Metamora, where he remained until 1852, when he settled on sections 33 and 34, taking up 161 acres of land which he improved and resided upon until his death, in 1870. He was married in 1850 to Miss Amanda M. DEMING, of Oakland County, by whom he had two sons and one daughter, Alice, who married Morris STANTON, of Detroit, the sons remaining on the homestead.

James H. LEE, son of Jesse LEE, who was one of the pioneers of Lapeer County, was born in the township of Metamora in 1835, and when twenty-one years of age purchased a farm adjoining the homestead where he now resides. His farm contains 105 acres and he has become known as one of the most successful wheat growers in the county, his crops of that grain aggregating 19,000 bushels in the past thirteen years, the principal part of which he has drawn to Pontiac. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary RICHES, of Thornville, and has two sons and two daughters.

Henry LEE was born in the township of Metamora, Lapeer County, Mich., where his father, Jesse LEE, settled in 1831, coming there direct from Cattaraugus County, N. Y. After becoming of age he remained three years on the homestead, and then after spending one year in the West, he purchased a farm in Oakland County, Mich., where he resided two years. He then sold his farm and purchased his present place, in 1867. First bought 160 acres on section 18, in the township of Mayfield, to which he afterward added 180 acres. He has been supervisor of the township seven years and county treasurer four years. He was married in 1862 to Miss Mittie W. THOMAS, of Mayfield. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.