Obituaries: Col. Stephen Roland "Swords" Lee, 1929, Winn Parish, LA Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: February 22, 1929 Winnfield News-American Col. Stephen R. Lee Of Alexandria Dies At His Home Feb. 13 Industrial and Political Leader, Descendant of Famous Lees Col. Stephen R. Lee, 70 years old, retired wealthy lumberman and Central Louisiana political leader, died at his home in Alexandria, Louisiana, February 13th, following an illness of several months. Although his death had been momentarily expected for several days his passing was a severe shock to his family and the citizens of Alexandria and entire north Louisiana. Stephen Roland Lee, affectionately known to his relatives and friends as "Swords: Lee, was born in Perry County, Miss., February 8, 1859. He was a son of Stephen Roland Lee, Sr., and Rebecca Grantham, both of Mississippi. He moved with his parents to Grant Parish, La., when he was 12 years of age and was reared in the latter parish. He received his education in the public schools of his adopted parish and after he reached man's estate, he taught school for a number of years. He was a lineal descendant of "Light Horse Harry" Lee, father of General Robert E. Lee, immortal chieftain of the Southern Confederacy. His grandfather was Elijah Lee, of North Carolina, and his grandmother was Martha Roland, of Virginia, whose progenitors came to this country from England. His maternal grandparents were Daniel Grantham and Sarah Slade. His grandfather fought in the Battle of New Orleans under General Andrew Jackson and four of his paternal uncles fought in the Civil War, only one of whom returned from that bloody conflict. He was married on November 12, 1884 to Miss Cornelia Nugent, a daughter of Matthew Nugent and Julie Ann Mackie, pioneer citizens of Grant Parish. His widow and the following children survive him: Mrs. B. F. Eubank, J. H. Lee, Mrs. M. F. Farrell, all of Alexandria, and Mrs. S. J. Rogers of Monroe. Col. and Mrs. Lee have three children deceased. They are: Florence, Lucille, and Samuel Patterson Lee. He leaves two grandsons, James Roland Eubank and Marion Lee Jarrell. He is also survived by three sisters, Mrs. Sarah E. Yawn, of Alexandria; Mrs. T. C. Conners, of Pineville; and Mrs. Leonard Smith of Winnfield. Brothers and sisters of Col. Lee who are deceased are: Daniel Lee, Elijah Lee, Henry Lee, Mrs. Martha Shirley, and Mrs. Louise Curry. Col. Lee engaged in the lumber business in which he was eminently successful. For many years, he resided near Pollock in Grant Parish but in 1908 he purchased the home at the corner of Fourth and St. James Street, and moved with his family to this city to reside. He has lived here continuously since and has been prominent in the civic, social, business, and political affairs of the city and parish, during his long residence here. About twenty-five years ago he became president and general manager of the Lee Lumber Company, which operated a large saw mill at Tioga. The company owned thousands of acres of timber land and it continued to operate until about twelve years ago, when the timber became exhausted and the mill ceased operations and was dismantled. Col. Lee was a born leader of men and led many political battles successfully. He first came into prominence politically in Grant Parish when he was appointed by the late Governor Murphy J. Foster to the office of assessor of that parish, when this position was appointive. He held this office for four years and he was later elected a member of the State House of Representatives from Grant Parish, which position he filled efficiently and introduced a number of measures of benefit to his parish and State at large. His political influence spread beyond the bounds of Rapides and Grant Parishes and he sat as a conspicuous figure in many political conferences during various State campaigns when plans for the conduct of the campaign were made. He always had a large political following and in fact, he had the reputation of having directed more political campaigns successfully and of having won more governors than any other man in Central Louisiana. He was a staunch supporter of Governor Long during his campaign. He is a relative of the governor by marriage. He was bold and aggressive in his manner, but withal rugged and honest, and had the happy faculty of gaining the confidence of those with whom he had dealings. He was gentle and kind and had the greatest consideration for the opinions of others. A good man has gone to his reward. He was buried the following day in the Greenwood Memorial Park, with funeral services conducted at the First Methodist Church by the Rev. W. W. Holmes, pastor and Rev. C. A. Devane of the Emmanuel Baptist Church. He was a member of Alexandria Lodge No. 545 B. P. O. Elks, and the members of this Order attended the funeral in body and officiated at the grave.