Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= The Muskegon Chronicle Wednesday, 25 July, 1900 VETERAN MARINER CAPT. SETH LEE DIED at 11 p.m. Tuesday He Began His Sea Faring Life Over Fifty Years Ago For Years He Operated the North Muskegon Ferry Line Was Commander of the Schooner "S. Anderson" and was on Lake Michigan in the Big Storm Which Wrecked the Steamer Alpena - In 1889 he Organized the Firm of CAPT. SETH LEE & Co. CAPT. SETH LEE, Muskegon's veteran lake captain, died at his residence at 172 W. Webster avenue at 11 o'clock Monday night of progressive muscular atrophy. He had been ailing for about a year but only last January was ill enough to be kept at home and for the last four months he was confined to his bed. CAPT. SETH LEE has been one of the popular and success- ful mariners on the great lakes. He was born in Eleria, Ohio, January 14, 1834, and over fifty years ago commenced sailing. The ancestors of the LEE family came from Germany. CAPT LEE'S father, GEORGE LEE, came westward in 1844 and died in Kalamazoo. In 1846 SETH LEE started as a cook in the schooner "Citizen." At the close of the season the schooner was laid up at Erie and the captain of the vessel gave him $110 for his season's work and ten dollars to pay his way home to Eleria. Instead of using the money for that purpose, he walked the entire distance and gave his mother the whole amount. He steadily advanced in his calling until at the age of 19 years he had become captain of the "Ellen Kent," a schooner plying between Sandusky and Buffalo, a rank he always held while following the lakes. The season of 1856 he was engaged in carrying stone for the construc- tion of the old Sault canal. After he came to this city he became interested in vessel property with HACKLEY & HUME. In 1871 he began sailing to Muskegon on the schooner "Mystic," of which he was the captain. The "Mystic" was purchased by G. R. SELKIRK and CAPT. REED, of Chicago, and CAPT. LEE purchased the schooner "Kate Lyons" with C. H. HACKLEY and JAMES McGORDON. August 15, 1872, he went into the lumber freighting business with HACKLEY & McGORDON, between this city and Chicago. Among the vessels he sailed out of this port were the "Rouse Simmons" and "S. Anderson," and the last vessel he sailed was the "Andrew Jackson." A portion of this time he was ashore and in 1875 he retired from the lakes and for five years acted in the capacity of assist- ant superintendent for the Muskegon Booming Co., having charge of the company's fleet of tugs, dry dock, etc. In 1880 he returned to his lake faring life as master of the schooner "S. Anderson," and was out in her during the fierce Alpena storm of October 16th of that year, which storm caused great loss of life and property. In 1883 he purchased a ferry line on Muskegon lake, between this city and North Muskegon, and continued this business until about 1890, his boats being the "Erie L. Hackley," "Centennial" and "Mary E. Minter." In conjunction with the ferry enterprise, in 1886 and for several years thereafter, he made contracts with the city for the paving of its streets, having in charge the paving of several of Muskegon's prominent thorough- fares. In 1889 he organized the firm of CAPT. SETH LEE & Co., opened the People's Steam Laundry, and went into the roofing business. In 1897 he was appointed deputy col- lector of customs of this port and for several years he held the position of harbor master. In 1886 he was elected alderman of the old Third ward, in which ward he has resided for over 17 years in his residence at the corner of Webster avenue and Fourth street. CAPT. LEE was twice married. His first wife was Miss FINA MILLS, daughter of DARLIN MILLS, of Milan, Ohio. They had one daughter, MRS. CORA E. STARKE, of Grand Rapids. On August 19th, 1874, he married Miss KITTIE M. HAIGHT, daughter of EDGAR HAIGHT, of Buffalo, N.Y., who survives him with their two children, Miss KATE B. LEE and C. H. HACKLEY LEE, and also his daughter, MRS. STARKE, who is here at the present time. He leaves two brothers, HENRY LEE, of Clinton, Iowa, and EDWARD LEE, of Dawson, Iowa. CAPT. LEE was a member of Muskegon Lodge, No. 140, F. & A.M., having brought his demit from Erie Lodge, No. 239, of Milan, Ohio. The funeral will take place Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from the residence. ===============================================================================