Lee, Earnest U

From Lane Co Oregon

Earnest U. Lee

On the list of Eugene's leading business men appears the name of Ernest U. Lee, who is cashier of the Merchants Bank. He was born in Klamath County, Oregon, December 25, 1868, his parents being Dr. Norman L. and Amanda M. (Griggs) Lee. His grandfather, Philaster Lee, was a native of western New York and, making the long journey across the plains, accompanied by his family, he settled near Gervais, Oregon. Subsequently he settled at Soda Springs, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was also one of the early nurserymen of this part of the state and became a pioneer in an industry -- that of fruit culture -- which is now one of the important sources of Oregon's revenue. The maternal grandfather, Aly B. Griggs, was also numbered among the early settlers, coming from Illinois in 1852. Dr. Lee was born in Illinois before the family came to the west and is now seventy-six years of age. He read medicine under private instruction for a time and afterward attended the Willamette University, from which he was graduated. He then located at Junction City, where he has since practiced.

Ernest U. Lee was educated in the public schools of Junction City and became a clerk in a drug store, thus making his initial start in the business world. Eventually he established a pharmacy of his own and was engaged in the drug business for some years prior to 1898, when he came to Eugene to fill the office of clerk of Lane County, to which he had been elected on the republican ticket. He had previously had some experience in public office, having served on the school board and as a member of the city council of Junction City. He filled the office of county clerk until the 1st of January, 1910, and became cashier of the Merchants Bank in March, 1911.

Mr. Lee is also well known as a public official for he is now serving as a member of the Eugene school board and as a secretary of the water board.

In 1889 Mr. Lee was married to Miss Bertha K. Washburne, of Junction City, a daughter of Charles W. Washburne, who is an old pioneer of this state, now eighty-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have two children, Croesus and Roy W. 7.