Saturday, October 9, 2010

JONATHAN LEE
1826-1885

Our town and vicinity has been called to mourn the loss of one of our most estimable men and citizens in the person of Mr. Jonathan Lee, who, after a lingering illness of more than two months, closed this life, on Thursday morning, April 30, 1885, aged 59 years. His disease was not well defined and death seems to have resulted from a combination of causes.

The deceased was the eldest son of David Lee, deceased, of Carroll County, Ohio, and brother of Rev. W.E. Lee, of Missouri Conference, and of Prof. A.D. Lee, late of Scio College. His first marriage occurred June 29, 1848 to Mrs. Elizabeth Coury, widow of Captain Conry of Lake Michigan. From this marriage five children were born, four boys and one girl. He was again married Feb. 14, 1872, to Miss Lida Burns, of Wellsville, who still survives him.

Very impressive funeral services were held in the presence of a large audience in the M.E. Church, on Saturday morning. By special request of the deceased before death, Rev. J.H. Hollingshead, of Steubenville, conducted the religious services, Revs, Jackson, of Flushing, Smith and Grims of Uhrichsville, were present and Rev. Hollingshead selected as the text the words "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day." and from them drew forth the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, and impressed his hearers with the truths of scripture upon this important subject. His subject was illustrated with many analogies from in nature, that it is no incredible thing that God should raise the dead. The services were very impressive throughout, and many lasting impressions were doubtless made. At eleven o'clock the remains were taken to Deersville cemetery where interment took place. The following history of the life and character of Mr. Lee, read by Rev. Hollingshead near the close of his remarks, will be interesting to many friends and relatives of the deceased, and we therefore subjoin them.

Jonathan Lee, whose moral remains are within the casket before us, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Jan 29th, 1826.

He was born again in 1845, under the labors of Rev. Ebenezer Hays, then pastor of Carrollton Circuit, Canton District, Pittsburgh Conference. For the past 40 years it has been his meat and drink to do the will of his Heavenly Father. His great desire was to know what God's will was, and to have strength to do it cheerfully, freely, constantly, and in all things. Having first given himself to the Lord, he gave himself to the church. He had broad views and a Catholic heart, and sincerely loved all who loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity. For all such he had a open hand and back of it, a brother's heart. However he embraced with every fiber of his being the doctrines of Methodism. He was proud of her history, and loved her polity; was free in the use of her methods of Christian work and ever loved to bear testimony to the experience of sins forgiven, whenever and where ever opportunity was offered.

He was a Priest in his family, and faithful in his household; the fire was not permitted to die on the family alter. His children and visitors were made to see and feel the purity and power of religion. They were taught to observe the Sabbath and early and regularly brought them to the Sanctuary. He kept the vow made when they were baptized. They were taught, as soon as able to learn all those things which they needed to know for their soul's health and God set his seal on his faithful servant's labors, and the divine work has been verified that, "If a child is trained in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it." It has been my privilege to know brother Lee for ten years past. Four years I was his Presiding Elder. Before he moved to Freeport, I was his pastor. I can speak from an overflowing heart of him as a close friend, as a brother dearly beloved. I have had business transactions with him, and I regard him as an honest man, and "An honest man is the noblest work of God." He could be safely trusted. His word was his bond: his oaths were oracles; his tears, peace messengers from the heart; his soul as far from fraud as heaven is from earth. He was a Christian - "An Israelite in whom there was no guile." He was a happy Christian. He wore a pleasant smile for all. I have thought that he carried the doxology on his face, "Praise GOD from whom all blessings flow," and many a time I have heard him praise the Lord with joyful lips. He was a liberal Christian. There was nothing stinted, nothing little. He did not wait to offer unto the Lord that which cost him nothing. He wanted, as a Leader and Steward, to see the people rise above parsimony and devise liberal things. He practiced great denial in giving to Missions. He proved that the liberal soul shall be made fat; that to scatter is often the best way to strengthen, for with his dying breath when he spoke of giving, he said, "It pays!" In years ago he was prostrated by a sun-stroke, and at intervals since then, he was a sufferer. He suffered as a Christian and never spoke a murmur. During the past two months he has been shut in his room, and was made to feel that his work was done. He was often heard to say, "The crossing is near, it is only a step." He had blessed reflections in the Sun-set hours of life. He felt quite ready for his everlasting home. While at the edge of the grave he said, "As I think of the crystal walls and pearly gates they seem so near and so real." He said, "The world's great Redeemer is my Savior, and Oh, he is as wonderfully true and faithful." Glory to the Lamb." Everything is as clear, so bright!"
With many other words of hope and love and faith did he speak as he stood at the threshold. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace."

Taken from Newspaper The Freeport Press, May 7, 1885
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Jonathan Lee was born the 29 Jan 1826 in Lee Township, Carroll County, Ohio to David and Julia Ann Dobbins Lee. He was the oldest of nine children. He married 29 June 1848 in Carroll County, Ohio a widow with two sons, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Kennedy Conry. She had Thomas about 9 years old, and Henry about 7 years old at the time of their marriage. Thomas became a Doctor and Henry a Minister. Jonathan and Elizabeth had six children as follows: Kennedy born and died in 1849 buried in Green Hill Cemetery, Lee Township, Carroll County, Ohio; David born 1850 married Ada Jones they were Methodist missionaries in India he died 1924; Albert born 1852 married lst Pauline Bucher in 1876, married 2nd Josephine, he died 1925 in Riverside County, California; Morton born 1854 died 1855 buried Green Hill Cemetery; Carrie born 1857 married John Wesley Birney in 1878, she died 1930 in Dawson County, Nebraska; Alexander Harmount born 1859 he died of Typhoid Fever at the age of 19y 3m 4d on 21 Jul 1878 buried Deersville Cemetery, Deersville, Harrison County, Ohio.
Jonathan's wife Elizabeth was born 1820 in Ireland and died before 1870 and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery. Jonathan than married Eliza J. (Lida) Burns on the 14 Feb 1872 in Jefferson County, Ohio. Lida was born about 1832 in Ohio. Jonathan and Lida lived in Harrison County, Ohio. Jonathan died 30 April 1885 and is buried in Deersville Cemetery, Deersville, Harrison County, Ohio. Lida died in 1913.

Taken from Family group sheet of Cindy Clark
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Will of Jonathan Lee, Deceased

In the name of the benevolent Father of all: I Jonathan Lee of Freeport, Harrison County, Ohio, do make and publish this my last Will and testament.
Item 1st. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Eliza J. Lee all of my real and person property during her natural life and at her death said property to be sold and equally divided among my children whose names are as follows: David H. Lee, Albert B. Lee and Carrie J. Birney and said heirs to share alike in my said estate.
Item 2nd. I hereby appoint my son David H. Lee Administrator of my estate.
Item 3rd I hereby revoke all former wills made by me.
In testimony I hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.
Jonathan Lee

Taken from Will Record D page 496 Harrison County, Ohio.

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