Hon. James Wilson Lee and Clara Virginia Kauffman

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Husband Hon. James Wilson Lee ^{1 2}

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           Born: 17 Jul 1845 - Sharon, Mercer Co, PA 1 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 14 May 1908 ? - ? Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Venango Co, PA

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         Father: Silas Lee (1788-1871) 2 3
         Mother: Jane Holmes (1807-1876) 2 3

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       Marriage: 13 Oct 1883 - Columbia, Lancaster Co, PA 4

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   Other Spouse: Laura M. Kinnear (Abt 1848-1880) 4 5 6 - 19 Jun 1879 4 5

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Wife Clara Virginia Kauffman ^{4 5}

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           Born: 13 Oct 1854 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 5 Apr 1905 5
         Buried: 8 Apr 1905 ? - ? Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Venango Co, PA

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         Father: Hon. C. S. Kauffman (      -      ) 4 5 7
         Mother: Jean McKlung (      -      ) 5

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Children

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1 F Virginia Lee ⁵

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           Born: 22 Mar 1893 - Franklin, Venango Co, PA 5
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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2 M James W. Lee ⁵

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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General Notes: Husband - Hon. James Wilson Lee

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His boyhood days were passed under the parental roof, and he received his primary education in the public schools. In 1863 he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and in 1864 Allegheny College at Meadville, spending in both institutions about three years. In April, 1867, he commenced reading law with Myers & Kinnear, of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1869. He immediately began practice in Franklin and continued alone until July 1, 1872, when he formed a partnership with S. C. T. Dodd, which continued until January 1, 1881, when Mr. Dodd removed to New York city to accept the general solicitorship of the Standard Oil Company. Mr. Lee practiced alone until July, 1886, at which time he became a member of the firm of Lee, Smiley & Hastings, of Bradford. One year afterward the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, with offices at Franklin and Bradford, was organized, and soon became recognized as one of the leading law firms in this section of the state.
In politics Mr. Lee was always a Republican, and through many years he took a prominent and active part in the political affairs of Pennsylvania. Possessing an affable, engaging, and courteous manner, and being a frank, earnest, and fearless speaker, he soon won a host of friends who remained his loyal supporters. Naturally he became a leader in local politics, and in 1871 he was elected to the city council, and in 1875 was chosen mayor of Franklin. By this time he had become well known and popular throughout the county, and the way was open for further advancement. In 1878 he was nominated and elected by a very large majority to a seat in the state senate, and was re-elected in 1882. During his first term he served on the committee on new counties and county seats, and also the judiciary committee, and during his second term he served on the judiciary committee and was chairman of the special judiciary committee. In the debates and deliberations of the senate he always took an active part, and was the acknowledged peer of the leading members of that body. After the expiration of his second term Senator Lee devoted his entire attention to the large and lucrative practice of the firm of Lee, Criswell & Hastings, all of whom were able and successful lawyers. [HVC 1890, 809]

1 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 809.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 305.

3 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 806.

4 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 810.

5 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 306.

6 Emma Siggins White, The Kinnears and Their Kin (Kansas City, MO: Tiernan-Dart Printing Co., 1916), Pg 22.

7 —, History of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warners, Beers & Co., 1886), Pg 419.