Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Lea, Crawford County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Benjamin Lea, the only surviving child of John and Bessie Lea, was born
in Yorkshire, England, October 13, 1841.  John Lea, also a native of
England, was a civil engineer and contractor by trade, and having lived
in his native country until about 1845, he immigrated to America and
settled in St. Francois County, MO., soon after removing to Illinois,
where he followed railroad and bridge contracting; he died in 1854.
Benjamin Lea came to Missouri in 1858, and after working on the const-
ruction of the 'Frisco line for a time he engaged as a clerk in his
uncle's store.  In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, First Missouri Cav-
alry, and served three years and one month, participating in the battle
of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and many smaller ones; six days after his
return from the war he was called upon to carry a dispatch from Leas-
burg to Rolla, and was wounded in the right arm.  Returning to Missouri
in 1865, he married Caroline E. Smith, who was born in England in 1849;
they have six children.  Having settled at Leasburg, Crawford County,
Mr. Lea clerked for his uncle and engaged in various pursuits until
1876, when, in partnership with his uncle, he opened a store in Scotia;
five years later Mr. Lea became the sole proprietor and so continued
until 1886, when he sold out.  The same year he was elected collector,
which position he still holds.  He is a Republican in politics and a
member of the G. A. R.  He has been a resident of Crawford County for
thirty years, and in connection with his official duties is interested
in farming.

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