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Our Best Words, May 1912, p 3 c 3 Henry Lee
was born a slave in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky, in 1837. Was
married to Phillis Ann Bromfield in 1857. To this marriage were
born seven children, namely: Mary Lincoln Lee, who departed to the
heavenly country years ago. Those who remain on earth are James
H. Lee, of this city; Miss Louisa Lee, of this city: Mrs. Elizabeth
Lee, of Paris, Ill.; Mr. Abraham Lincoln Lee, of this city; Miss Anna
Telitha Lee, and Mrs. Meda Clay, of Chicago. There are 11 grand
children. Mr. Lee’s first wife passed on in 1875.
He was married to Irene Russell of Terre Haute,
Ind., on February 3, 1883. She survives him. The deceased came with his
family to Shelbyville about 1869, and was in the employ of Mr. Thomas
M. Thornton for 25 years.
In 1901 Mr. Lee moved to Chicago where he served
faithfully until his death, which occurred March 25, 1912. The
deceased was in the Civil War in Company D., Fifth Illinois infantry.
He was a valiant Union soldier and was honored with several medals for
feats of bravery in battles. Best of all, he early in life
enlisted as a soldier of the cross and was faithful until death.
Mr. Wesley McCann, Mr. A. S. Williams and Henry Lee were
the first three officers of African M.E. Church, organized in
Shelbyville about 27 years ago. Rev. J. L. Douthit, an old friend
of the deceased, preached the funeral in this church. The members
of the local (Cyrus Hall) post of the G. A. R. took part in the
service. The preacher paid a tender tribute to such veterans of
the rank and file of the army as Henry Lee. Without such loyal
“Common people,” Lincoln, Grant, Sheridan and other great generals
could never have won victories for freedom and Union.
