Obituary for William Joseph Lee, Henry, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/henry/wjlee.txt ================================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Christine Grimes Thacker ==================================================================== October 2002 * This was sent to the Dale Co., Al mailing list by Terri Tait, she gave me permission to copy anything she has sent and send to the Dale Co., Archive site. Christine Grimes Thacker, 10/4/2000. Source: Confederate Veteran, Vol. XVIII, May 1910, No. 5, page 242, 243 Dr. W. J. Lee Dr. William Joseph Lee was born October 27, 1838 in Chambers County, Ala; and died January 13, 1910 at Abbeville, Ala. His ancestors were of the Lees of Virginia. Charles S. Lee, his father, was a native of Greene County, Ga. And became a citizen of Alabama in 1834. He served with the rank of captain in the Indian War of 1836, and during the Civil War effectively aided the cause. Dr. W. J. Lee was one of five brothers, all of whom were commissioned, in the Confederate service. Moses J. Lee was a captain of cavalry; Charles S. Lee, Jr., was also a captain of cavalry in the 1st Alabama Regiment, and after reorganization he commanded a company of the 6th Alabama Calvary. After the war he represented Escambia County in the Senate of Alabama. John H. Lee entered the service as a private in the 6th Alabama Cavalry, and was promoted to a lieutenancy; Edward David Lee enlisted as a private in Company K of the 33rd Alabama Infantry, commanded by his brother, Dr. W. J. Lee, and a year later was commissioned lieutenant. After his brother was wounded and captured at Franklin, Tenn., he had command of the company until the surrender at Greensboro, N.C. In the fall of 1861 W. J. Lee organized a company in Coffee County, of which he was elected captain. It was made Company K, 33rd Alabama Infantry, Lowrey's Brigade, Cleburne's Division, Hardee's Corps, Army of Tennessee. He commanded his company during the siege of Corinth and through the Kentucky and Chickamuaga campaigns. During the Atlanta and Nashville campaigns he was the acting major of his regiment, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridege, Ringgold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and in the Tennessee Campaign at Franklin, where he fell with several wounds in the right elbow and left leg. When the army retreated from Nashville, he was captured and three months later he was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio where he was confined until after the close of hostitlies. He was a brave, heroic spirit. Dr. Lee had graduated with distinction in the Medical Department of Tulane University, New Orleans, La. In 1860 and the next year from the University of Nashville, and began the practice of his profession in Coffee County; but soon the call of his country for military service interrupted his professional career. After the flag of the Confederacy furled, he resumed the practice of medicine in Coffee County, Ala. where he labored with marked success until 1882. He then located in Abbeville and entered upon his most efficient labors. Having won the plaudits of his fellow men for his ability and constancy in their service, he retired from the profession in 1896, rich in the esteem of his people. Dr. Lee served for years as the Commander of Abbeville Camp, U.C.V. At the time of his death he was Vice President of the First National Bank, a member of Henry Lodge A.F. and A. M. and a member of the Abbeville Baptist Church. Dr. Lee married Miss Emma Ada Haughton of Union Springs, Ala. October 8, 1861 at Elba, Ala. She died in 1874. In 1876, he married Mrs. Mollie E. Price, of Abbeville, Ala., the daughter of Rev. Alexander L. Martin and the sister of Rev. W. J. Martin, of Abbeville, and Hon. Harry Martin of Ozark. He is survived by two brothers, eldest and youngest of his family, and by two sisters. One sister is the wife of Capt. J. E. P. Flournoy of Elba, who served with distinction as a captain in the 8th Alabama Cavalry, and the other is the wife of Hon. P. D. Costello and was a captain in the Confederate army, acting major of his battalion at Shiloh and as lieutenant colonel of the 25th Alabama Regiment at Murfreesboro. He is also survived by his son, W. J. Lee, Jr. who for a quarter of a century has served in the navy of the United States, and who is now stationed in Alaskan waters; by his daughter, Mrs. Robert Newman, with four children; by Miss Irene Stokes, his granddaughter, who had spent her life under his care and loved him with a true daughter's devotion; by his faithful wife, who for nearly thirty-four years was his constant helpmeet and companion. The funeral sermon was preached by his pastor, Rev. John F. Gable, at the Abbeville Baptist Church, assisted by Rev. W. E. Street of the Methodist Church. The ceremonies at the grave were conducted by Henry Lodge, A. F. and A. M. assisted by representatives from other lodges in the country. In consideration of this genial fellowship, of his military career, of his professional service, of his patriotic citizenship, and his fraternal relations, it was therefore "Resolved by the Henry Lodge, No. 91, A. F. and A. M. in regular meeting assembled. That we humbly bow in submission to the will of the Lord, Supreme Grand Master of the skies, that we recognize the truth, that the square, the plump line, and the level regulated the life of our brother; that our sympathy is hereby extended to the bereaved family; that a copy of this sketch and this resolution be spread upon our minutes and published throughout the press." Dr. Clarence J. Owens, Commander in Chief, U.S. C.V. was chairman of the meeting.