Tehama-Sacramento-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Lee, Bruce B. 1838 - 1890 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 17, 2007, 11:07 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) BRUCE B. LEE, of Red Bluff, Tehama County, California, lately deceased, was the eldest son of Barton Lee, one of the early settlers and founders of Sacramento. The old firm of Priest, Lee & Cornwall was one of the wealthiest and most noted in the early history of California. Mr. Lee's grandfather, Benjamin Lee, was a pioneer of Skaneateles, New York, and also of northern Ohio. The Lees came originally from the Scottish branch of the family. Mr. Lee's mother, nee Henrietta Lee Steele, was a native of Sandusky, Ohio, and a descendant, on the maternal side, from the Virginia branch of the Lee family. Bruce B. Lee was born in Iowa, September 26, 1838. He crossed the plains to Oregon and California in 1844. Mr. Lee is enthusiastic over Tehama County and believes it to be the best in the State. During his residence in California he has held many prominent positions; was elected to the State Legislature as a member of the Assembly from Sacramento County, in 1868; was appointed Harbor Commissioner by Governor William Irwin, in 1876; was elected Grand Commander of Knights Templar in 1880, and secured the Triennial Conclave of that order for San Francisco, in 1883; and at the time of his death was Prelate of Red Bluff Commandery, No. 17, K. T., Past High Priest of Red Bluff Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M.; and Captain of Company D, Eighth Battalion, N. G. C. Mr. Lee was manager of the largest insurance agency in America. He is the owner of a fine orchard, and has for sale about 200 acres of the finest orchard land in the valley. July 2, 1868, Mr. Lee wedded the lady of his choice, Miss Ada Titus, the acknowledged belle of Sacramento in the days of Governor Haight's administration. Mrs. Lee is the daughter of Colonel J. W. Titus, of Sacramento, and is a leading member of the Episcopal Church, and a vocalist of more than ordinary ability. Mr. Lee devoted his checkered and eventful life not alone to making money and accumulating wealth, but to ameliorating the conditions of the indigent and suffering, and thus by making bright the pathway of many a poor soul he has also brought sunshine and happiness into his own life. He was a man who reverenced his God, loved his neighbor as himself, never sought notoriety, and enjoyed fun as much as any one. By his fellow citizens he was regarded as liberal, generous, talented and full of business push and enterprise. His death took place in December, 1890. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/lee704gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb