Henry Lee, proprietor of Summit Heights stock farm, near Battle Creek, Ida County, Iowa, was born near Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1833. He was married November 24, 1863 to Maria Fishburn, the daughter of John and Catherine Fishburn. Henry and Maria had 4 children: Harry F., Kate M., Myra M., and Thomas H.
Mr. Lee’s ancestors were natives of the Emerald Isle. His father, Thomas Lee, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., June 22, 1785, died May 21, 1871. Mr. Lee’s father was a soldier in the War of 1812. His mother’s name was Mary Noble, and she died August 27, 1862 at 67 years. Henry Lee’s brothers and sisters were: Thomas, James, John, and Margaret E.
Henry Lee enlisted in the Union army in September 1862 and was 1St Lt. Of the 165 Pa. Vol. Infantry for a period of one year. He recruited a company and became Captain of the 209th Pa. Volunteers. He was taken prisoner November 17, 1863, at Bermuda Hundred, Va., and first confined in Belle Island prison. He then was taken to Libby, to Danville, to Salisbury, and finally taken back to Libby prison. He was held a prisoner until February 22, 1864 when he was exchanged and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where he again entered the fight for his country, serving until the close of the war in May 1865.
In 1882, Henry Lee came to Ida County, Iowa, and purchased a farm. He lived here 6 years and moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. After two years, he came back to Ida County. He had some of the best draft and road horses in northwestern Iowa. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R).