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    Lee, William Edwin "Wm. E."

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1885-88 (District 39); House 1893-94 (District 46)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 1/8/1852
    Birth Place: Alton, Illinois
    Birth County:
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 11/16/1920
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Wm. E.
    City of Residence (when first elected): Long Prairie
    Occupation (when first elected): Banker, Bank of Long Prairie

    EDUCATION

    Common Schools; At Least Elementary School;
    Private Tutors; At Least Elementary School;

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Board of Control (2 years); 1??? to 1???
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Normal School Board (6 years); 18?? to 18??
    Judge: Long Prairie, Minnesota (Justice of the Peace); 01/1875 to 18?? [Elected]
    County Government: Todd County, Minnesota (Register of Deeds); 1877 to 1880 [Elected]
    State Agency: St. Cloud State Reformatory, Minnesota (Superintendent); 1894 to 1896 [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Eva A. Gibson (married on February 14, 1875)
    Children: Three children: Rudolph A., Harry W., and Raymond A. (sons)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was of English ancestry.

    He came to Little Falls, Minnesota in June 1855, 1856 or 1857, with his parents.

    He was raised on a farm.

    He is listed as a Republican in The Book of Minnesotans: a Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of Minnesota, 1907, p. 303.

    "Though of a democratic family he has been from the time he cast his first vote, an enthusiastic Republican." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897)

    He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican party endorsement for Minnesota Governor in the 1896 election.

    He died at midnight, at home, in Long Prairie, Todd County, Minnesota.

    Total Days Served: 2198

    SESSIONS SERVED

    28th Legislative Session (1893-1894)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 46
    Elected: 11/8/1892
    Residence: Long Prairie
    Term of Office: 1/3/1893 to 1/7/1895
    Counties Represented: Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd
    Occupation: Banking Business, Bank of Long Prairie
    Party: Republican Party Notes: He is listed as a Republican in The Book of Minnesotans: a Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of Minnesota, 1907, p. 303; "Though of a democratic family he has been from the time he cast his first vote, an enthusiastic Republican." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897)
    Committees:
    Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

    25th Legislative Session (1887-1888)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39
    Elected: 11/2/1886
    Residence: Long Prairie
    Term of Office: 1/4/1887 to 1/7/1889
    Counties Represented: Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd
    Occupation: Banker, Bank of Long Prairie
    Party: Republican Party Notes: He is listed as a Republican in The Book of Minnesotans: a Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of Minnesota, 1907, p. 303; "Though of a democratic family he has been from the time he cast his first vote, an enthusiastic Republican." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897)
    Committees:
    • Banks (Chair)
    • Joint Taxes and Tax Laws
    • Labor Special
    • Rules and Joint Rules

    24th Legislative Session (1885-1886)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39
    Elected: 11/4/1884
    Residence: Long Prairie
    Term of Office: 1/6/1885 to 1/3/1887
    Counties Represented: Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd
    Occupation: Banker, Bank of Long Prairie
    Party: Republican Party Notes: He is listed as a Republican in The Book of Minnesotans: a Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of Minnesota, 1907, p. 303; "Though of a democratic family he has been from the time he cast his first vote, an enthusiastic Republican." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897)
    Committees:
    • Banks (Chair)
    • Finance

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    William E. Lee Memorial. Minnesota Journal of the House, January 24, 1921, p. 161-162.

    Shutter, Marion Daniel. "William Edwin Lee." Progressive Men of Minnesota, Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Journal, 1897, p. 224-225.


    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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