Bio of LEE, Reuel P. (b.1888), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 429-430
R. P. LEE (Reuel P. Lee)
R. P. Lee, who is active in the conduct of the Lee Mortuary, is one of the most
progressive business men of Minneapolis. A native of Illinois, he was born at
Mt. Pulaski, Logan county, February 18, 1888. At an early age he removed with
his parents to southern Minnesota and there he spent his youth occupied in farm
work and stock raising.
Upon reaching school age R. P. Lee attended the rural schools in the vicinity of
the home farm and after putting his textbooks aside he qualified and accepted an
appointment in Minneapolis as chemist and bacteriologist of the city water
department. He retained that position during the typhoid epidemic and the
beginning of purifying the city water supply which has placed Minneapolis
foremost among healthy cities. His four years of practical laboratory experience
under Dr. Frank J. Corbett, then of the city health department, together with
the knowledge obtained in public sanitation and the cause and effect of
diseases, has proven invaluable to him. The opportunity to obtain practical
experience in the undertaking business presented itself and he entered the
service of an old established firm, starting at the very bottom. His laudable
ambition prompted him to work very hard in that connection and he absorbed every
detail of the business as he advanced. He subsequently took the examination at
the University, where he was one of a very few who passed the final examination,
obtain­ing the much-coveted embalmer's license. He was immediately advanced to
chief embalmer and funeral director of the firm and, having his heart and soul
in his work, he retained that position until the head of the firm died. Much of
Mr. Lee's spare time was occupied with research work and technical studies,
particular attention being given to sanitation and preservation of the dead,
composition and effects of embalming fluids, anatomy and health work and in
establishing a true cost of service system. This abundant experience and hard
work have brought their reward, for Mr. Lee is now considered one of the best
practical authorities on the art and science of embalming in Minnesota and he
has the confidence and respect of numerous families who have called upon him in
their bereavement. In employing Mr. Lee both rich and poor are assured of the
best of service. Some six years ago he established the Lee Mortuary, which
occupies a building on Nicollet avenue at West Fifteenth street. This building
was specially constructed to meet the requirements of a modern undertaking
business in all of its branches. The practical needs are under one roof and
include offices, chapel, display and reception rooms, garage, embalming room,
store room, etc. This building was erected only after Mr. Lee had visited
leading undertakers and mortuaries in various cities, considering their systems
and architecture and he personally de­signed and equipped his Minneapolis
establishment. Mr. Lee has the distinction of being the first in the state to
use an ambulance stretcher and to employ the word mortuary" instead of
undertaking parlors. Mr. Lee has realized his one great desire, to own and be
the head of a modern, progressive establishment doing away entirely with old
style undertaking, and he is ably assisted in his work by an efficient staff and
entire livery service, complete automobile equipment, and the ambition and
ability to render service irreproachable. A combination of technical and
practical experience, tender and reverent care for the deceased, conscientious
service and up -to-the-minute ideas, are outstanding characteristics of the Lee
Mortuary service.
was appointed secretary of the Minneapolis Tribune Company and in addition to
his executive duties as an official of the company he was also business manager
and managing editor of its publications. In this connection he was associated
with many men who won distinction in journalism and in politics. Among the
editorial writers of the paper were Albert Shaw, now editor of the Review of
Reviews; Frank A. Carle, managing editor of the St. Paul Press; and Tom Dulton,
managing editor of the Seattle Business Intelligencer; together with others
equally well known.
In 1916 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lee to Miss Ruth Clemmings, and to
their union one daughter, Gloria Doris, has been born. Mrs. Lee is a woman of
culture and refinement, possessing a charming and magnetic personality, and she
is prominent in the club and social circles of this city.
Fraternally Mr. Lee is identified with the Masons, having attained the
thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and he likewise holds membership in
Ark Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M.; Minneapolis Consistory, No. 2; and Zuhrah
Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a Knight of Pythias. Mr. Lee is
essentially a public-spirited man and to that end is active in the Loring Park
Commercial Club and the Commonwealth. Club. Along strictly professional lines he
is identified with the Minneapolis Funeral Directors Association and he is an
official funeral director of the Friendly Service Society of Minneapolis. Mr.
Lee is a man of great culture and high intellectual attain­ments and his genial
and pleasing personality have won for him many friends. He is most progressive
and enterprising and Minneapolis is indeed fortunate in having him for a
citizen.