OBITUARY
Caleb E. Lee
The death of
Caleb E. Lee occurred at the home on First Street Tuesday morning at two o'clock, following a short illness. Mr. Lee has been in failing health for a number of years, and for a number of months had been confined to the house. During all these years he has suffered uncomplainingly, keeping that cheerful, courteous disposition which ever characterized him.
Mr. Lee was a native of
Crawford county,
Pennsylvania and was born November 19, 1835. He was descended from good New
England ancestry. His people were thrifty, of high ideals, and of strong religious faith.
In the spring of 1848, the family moved to
Wisconsin and in 1851 to
Rock County. Here he learned the machinists trade in the Budd Foundry and Machine
Works. In 1858 he became chief engineer of the North Star steamer on the
Mississippi river. This was followed by employment in steamboat work in
New York until the spring of 1861 when he entered the Unitd States naval service as assistant engineer.
During the war he served on some of the best known vessels of the navy, the Anacosta, Pochahontas, Tacony,
Warp,
Kansas, and the
Huron. On the latter vessel he was chief engineer and at the close of the war cruised through the West India Islands, on the north and east coast of South
America, the Falkland Islands, and the west coast of Africa.
In December, 1876, he was placed on the retired list of naval officers. During these years he took part in many important engagements, proving himself a brave soldier, loyal to his flag and country, never shirking any duty.
At the close of his active naval life he withdrew from the service and returned to
Rock County and turned his attention to farming until 1885. During that year he settled in Evansville and engaged in the harness trade. Here he built up a successful business and took an active part in all local affairs. For six years he served as a member of the Board of Supervisors of
Rock County and was president of the village board for four years. He brought to these offices the same integrity and enterprise that are essential alike to the soldier and the private citizen.
He was married February 6, 1889, to Miss
Belle Shurrum of Evansville. Their home has ever been the center of a fine domestic and social life. Mr. Lee loved his home, and all that made for better homes in the community. He was a lover of good books and possessed a wide range of information gathered from extensive traveling and reading.
April 13, 1911, he was appointed as Chief Engineer in the Navy, with the rank of Lieutenant
Commander, on the retired list. Among the many local friends he was familiarly known and accousted as "Captain."
He was a member of Union Lodge No. 32, F. & A. M., Evansville
Chapter No. 35. R. A. M. and was also a Knight Templar,, a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic and of the
Knights of Pythias.
The funeral will be held at the home tomorrow at two o'clock. The service will be read by Mr. D. Quincy
Grabill. The interment will be in
Maple Hill cemetery.
The many friends express for Mrs. Lee their deepest sympathy. She has been loyal and faithful and no one could be more appreciative of such loyalty than Captain Lee.
Evansville Review, May 23, 1912, p. 4, col. 2, Evansville,
Wisconsin