Legislator Details

Image of William O. Lee
Image Description:
Portrait captured from Find-a-Grave.com, 3/18/2026.

William O. Lee
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 76

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 11/7/1844
City: Arbela Township, MI
County: Tuscola County, MI
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 3/6/1924
City: Port Huron, MI
County: Saint Clair County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 3/9/1924
City: Port Huron, MI
County: Saint Clair County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Lakeside Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Maria Yerkes, 11/17/1868, in Northville, mi; children: Birdie L. (Woodgrift), Elmer E. and 1 other; married Rose B. Vale about 1893; children: Rita M. and Rosabel (Walker) ; married to Ada Caroline Rice about 1918 total children: 5

Number of Children: 3

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: traveling agent, manager
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
attended district schools, Vassar high school and Eastman's Business College

Biographical Sketch:
Of English, Scotch and Holland descent. Son of Silas and Sarah (McLane or McLean) Lee. He was the third white child born in Tuscola county. He enlisted in Company M, Michigan 7th Cavalry Regiment on 25 Feb 1865. Promoted to Full Corporal on 29 Jun 1865. Promoted to Full Qtr Master Sgt. on 15 Aug 1865. Mustered out on 07 Nov 1865 at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was a president of the Regimental Association, and Custer's Michigan Cavalry Association; commander of G.A.R. post; department commander, G.A.R. Department of Michigan, and was a member of the board of managers of Michigan Soldiers' Home. Member of the Masons for more than 53 years. Served as justice of the peace and supervisor.

Notable Facts:
Died of prostate cancer. Death record gives birth date as 11/17/1844; 1921 Manual says 11/7/1844. He was credited as the compiler/editor of the regiment's memorial volume, Personal and Historical Sketches and Facial History of and by Members of the Seventh Regiment Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, 1862–1865 (Detroit: 7th Michigan Cavalry Association, ca. 1902).

Sessions Served:

Fifty-Second legislature, 1923-1924
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Elections , Military Affairs , Northern State Normal School , Supplies and Expenditures
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Port Huron
County of Residence Saint Clair
District: St. Clair 1
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/7/1922
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1923
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Fifty-First Legislature, 1921-1922
Chamber: House
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Ionia State Hospital , Military Affairs , Pontiac State Hospital , Printing
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Port Huron
County of Residence Saint Clair
District: St. Clair 1
District Description: Townships: Brockway, Burtchville, Clyde, Fort Gratiot, Grant, Greenwood, Kenockee, and Lynn; Port Huron city, Yale city

Date Elected: 11/2/1920
Date Sworn In: 1/5/1921
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Manual 1923, p. 744; Find-a-Grave.com, includes portrait and obit.; MIBiog 2:19; Michiganology; Manual 1921 p.700; USCen 1880, 1910, 1920; MIMarRec 1867-1952
View Bibliographical Sources