Biography - ZACHARY TAYLOR LEE

A native of Western Mound township where he now lives, Zachary Taylor Lee has been a lifelong resident of Macoupin county and is one of its highly respected citizens. He was born June 12, 1850, a son of O. W. and Rebecca (Sullivan) Lee. The father was born in South Carolina April 18, 1808, and was of English descent, while the mother was born September 30, 1809, in Tennessee, and was of Irish descent. They were married at the homestead of the Sullivan family, in White county, Tennessee, February 1, 1829, and in the year following came to Illinois and took up their residence on a farm in Greene county. A few years later Mr. Lee arrived in Western Mound township, Macoupin county, with his family and settled on section 23, on land which is now a part of the J. Bates estate. Here the son Zachary T. was born, and the father continued to cultivate the place until 1852 when he moved to section 23, where he established the family homestead. He spent twenty-five years on the home farm and gained recognition as one of the useful and progressive men of the community. He died in the early part of February, 1877, one week after the demise of his wife, and they were both buried on Sunday, the funerals being held one week apart. In their family were the following children: John S., Philander M. and Jesse N., all of whom are deceased; Mary J., who married William Wheeler, a farmer of Bird township; Martha M. and William H., both of whom are also deceased; Elsie C., who lives near Harmony church, in Chesterville township, and is the widow of James Bates; Isaac V., who is engaged in farming in Oklahoma; Nancy E., the wife of James Cunningham, a farmer of Vernon county, Missouri; Zachary Taylor, of this review; Warren Lee, who died in infancy; and George O., who is now engaged in farming in Western Mound township.

Mr. Lee whose name introduces this sketch possessed good advantages of education in the district schools and has since largely extended the boundaries of his knowledge by reading and observation. He has resided on the farm where he now lives ever since his boyhood and by his industry and good management has made it highly productive. He cultivates the various grains and also raises live stock which he sends to the markets at St. Louis and Chicago. He is one of the successful men of this region and each year adds to his revenue. Having acquired a handsome competence he is now fortified against material want.

On the 17th of December, 1885, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Margaret L. Nantz, a daughter of Edmund and Louisa (Bainbridge) Nantz and a granddaughter of John Bainbridge who served in the war of 1812. Mr. Nantz was born and reared near Springfield, Kentucky, and came to Macoupin county in his boyhood with his mother, the family locating on a farm three miles northeast of Carlinville. After his marriage he moved to Shaws Point and later to Honey Point, finally settling at Carlinville where he died February 3, 1859. He served in the Volunteer army at the time of the Mexican war and was one of the thoroughly respected citizens of this region. The mother of Mrs. Lee was born October 16, 1821, near Springfield, Kentucky, and was married to Mr. Nantz at Carlinville in 1849. She survived her husband many years and died December 27, 1900, being then in her eightieth year. Mr. and Mrs. Nantz were the parents of five children. Alaria Frances married Lyman L. Palmer, who is now engaged as a fruit grower and farmer in Florida. William Edward applied himself to farming and died in Boise, Idaho, in 1905. Alatthew Robert was also a farmer. He married Rachel Gray, of Alton, Illinois, and died in Kansas. Margaret L. is the wife of Zachary Taylor Lee. John F., the youngest of the children, married Annie Combs and they are residents of Carlinville; he is engaged in the railroad business. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lee three are now living, the eldest having died in infancy. Lyman Edmund was born July 24, 1888. Rebecca T. was born August 11, 1890, and William Eugene was born July 15, 1893. The three children are all living at home.

Mr. Lee supports the republican party and as a patriotic citizen has attempted to perform his duty in public affairs, having served with general satisfaction to taxpayers as township clerk for three terms. He is a member of the Baptist church while his wife is identified with the Methodist denomination. The children are all connected with the Shiloh Baptist church of Western Mound township. Fraternally he holds membership in Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M., of Chesterfield, and the Mutual Protective League of Enos, Illinois, and can claim many warm personal friends in those organizations. A man of great determination of character and actuated by a laudable desire to accomplish a worthy object in life, he has made good use of his opportunities and has deservedly attained a place as one of the prosperous men of Western Mound township.

Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 303-305.