Wesley Lee, son of James and Margaret Lee, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 1, 1843. His father was of French descent and a native of Virginia; while his mother’s ancestors hailed from Wales, and her birthplace was in Maryland. They came to Ohio in 1815, and settled in Holmes county, where they lived, reared a family of fourteen children, and died. James Lee served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Wesley Lee traveled westward and settled in Daviess county in 1865. Shortly afterward he returned to his native State, and. was there united in marriage to Miss Sabina Bouton, of Fulton county, Ohio. They have four children; namely, James G., born July 29, 1868; John F., born April 14, 1870; Anna B., born October 2, 1871; and Loren E., born February 23, 1873. Mrs. Lee died on the 19th of April, 1875. August 1, 1876, Mr. Lee married Miss Mary E. Evernden, of this county. By this union they have two children: Homer T., born November 12, 1878; and an infant not yet named.
Mr. Lee enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Second Ohio Infantry under Captain Huston, August 9, 1862, and was mustered in at Covington, Kentucky, where the regiment was in line of battle for sixteen days, in defense of the city of Cincinnati, from the Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith. He was in active service from this time on, participating in the battles of Pulaski and Athens, and was taken prisoner by General Forest’s troops at Athens, Alabama, when hostilities were nearing a close, and was in prison six months, being released after the surrender. He rejoined his regiment at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and three weeks later boarded the steamer Sultana, bound for Cairo, on his homeward trip. When within eight miles of Cairo, the steamer’s boiler bursted and the boat burned to the water’s edge, going down amid the mingled shrieks and groans of the brave fellows, many of whom were literally roasted alive upon her decks. Out of 2,200 soldiers on board, only 700 escaped alive. He received his honorable discharge at Cairo.
Mr. Lee owns a fine farm of 275 acres. He has served his township as justice of the peace, and also as a member of the County Court. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.