Lysander Gee

by Lysander Gee

Born in Austinburg, Ashtabula, Ohio on September 1, 1818 and died in Tooele, Utah, June 27, 1894.

"My mother's name was Sarah W. Crane, daughter of William Crane who was a sea captain and died in the West Indies about the time of the birth of my mother and consequently she never saw (him). He had one brother by the name of Hary (Harvey?) crane.

Her mothers name was Sarah Watson who died soon after the birth of my mother who was left an orphan without brother of sister, and was raised by her grandfather whose name was Zachariah Watson, he was captain of a company in the American revolution, and in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill.

He had one brother whose name was cyprion watson and who was the author of several interesting poems. Zachariah Watson's wife's name was Susanna. They had three sons and two daughters, viz, Ethan Allen, Heman, Sarah, and Susanna.

Ethan was a very noted physician, the last I knew of him he lived in Romulus, Seneca, New York. Heman lived in the state of Ohio, he had a large family of children but I do not know the names of but Three, Heman, Harvey, and Gordon."

Lysander the third son and child, then married, was head of the Gee clan as his oldest brother George (b. Aug. 13,1815) had died Jan. 20, 1842 in Pittsburg, Pa. While on a mission, the second (b. Jan. 18, 1817) died a child (Apr. 23, 1821) and the other two brothers were much younger, Erastus (b. July 29, 1825) and Salmon (b. Nov. 13, 1830). Apparently the eight surviving brothers and sisters came to Utah. Lysander died at Tooele, Utah June 27, 1894 always a leader in his community, well educated and substantial. His youngest brother, Salmo, (born Nov 13 1830) is still (1922) living in Idaho.

Note: Original in possession of a daughter, Mrs. Sarah Gee Skelton, of Los Angeles, California.

Son of Salmon Gee and Sarah Watson Crane of Ashtabula County, Ohio. Came to Utah in 1849 with the George A. Smith Company.

Married Amanda M. Sagers September 5, 1838, at Far-West, Missouri. She was born 1821 in New York state, and died October 22, 1848, in St. Louis.

Married Theresa Bowley February 12, 1846 at Nauvoo, Illinois daughter of John Bowley and Polly Reed of Maine. She was born October 7, 1829 at Carthage. Maine.

Married Maryetta Rowe February 10, 1850, in Salt Lake City. She was born October 3, 1831, in Tompkins County, New York.

Served as one of the presidents of the 31st Quorum of Seventies and as a High Priest and the Superintendent of Sunday School in the Tooele Stake of Zion. Gee was also a Prosecuting Attorney, Justice of the Peace and a carpenter. (See, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, p.886)

Descendents of Solomon Gee of Lyme, Connecticut

by Charles E. Benjamin 1981

Library of Congress Number 81-81764

Life and Light Press

Winona Lake, Indiana

pages 232-234

Lysander has been acclaimed as a leading citizen of Tooele City, Utah. He was a lawyer and a carpenter, was justice of the peace and prosecuting attorney handling a number of noted cases. He became the second postmaster in the town of Tooele City, Utah, appointed to this office 8 July 1856. Tooele City is reported to have had a very active theatrical group and Lysander Gee was a patron and promoter of this endeavor. For some years, he is known to have kept a diary of everyday events as they occurred in Tooele City. Perhaps the better overview of Lysander’s life can be obtained from his obituary reproduced below.

DEATH OF LYSANDER GEE:

An aged and Respected Resident of Tooele Passed to His Reward

Printed on June 28, 1894

A telephone message received by the News from Tooele this morning announced the death at that place of Lysander Gee, an old and respected Utonian. His illness was of long duration, and was borne with characteristic fortitude and patience, and was caused by a malignant cancer of the throat.

Time and again the surgeon's knife was sought as a means of relief and a hope for a permanent cure, but with only indifferent success. Gradually and painfully the dread disease continued its awful ravages until the patient became so emaciated and reduced in strength that he was compelled to give up his struggle for an earthly existence. When the end came, as it did at his home last evening, June 27th, at 6:30 o'clock, he was surrounded by the members of his family and numerous friends. With bowed heads, tear-dimmed eyes and sorrowing hearts, they had kept faithful vigil at his bedside and when his spirit passed into the unseen world their grief was intense.

The deceased was in many respects an interesting character and was widely known perhaps as any resident of Tooele county. He had been closely identified with that part of the country for many years and had held numerous responsible civil positions. By profession he was a lawyer and in politics a staunch and unswerving Democrat. His funeral will take place from the Tooele Ward meeting house tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

One who was near and dear to him in life furnishes the following additional particulars:

Lysander Gee was born September 1, 1818 in Austinburg, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He became identified with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1832 at the early age of 14, and ever after bore faithful testimony to the truth of the Gospel. On April 6, 1840, at a general conference in Nauvoo he was ordained an Elder by Elders William Smith and John E. Page, two of the Twelve Apostles, and in 1845 at Nauvoo was set apart as one of the Presidents of the 31st quorum of Seventies by President Joseph Young. On April 2, 1894 he was ordained a High Priest. Elder Gee also did considerable missionary work and was on a mission to Iowa when the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were assassinated.

Brother Gee came to Utah in 1849, sharing in the trials and hardships incident to the lives of the pioneer Saints. He lived six years in Salt Lake City and afterward removed to Tooele City, where he continued to reside until his death. He always took an active part in public affairs and served in many official capacities. He was a devoted worker in the Sunday Schools where for years he acted as one of the superintendents. Even after his health, which had always been the best, began to fail his voice was raised in defense of those glorious principles which he prized dearer than life itself.

While stricken upon his bed of sickness he bowed humbly and patiently without word of complaint to the will of his Divine Master, and now the voice that has touched many hearers and brought many to a knowledge of the truth, is hushed in silence until the Resurrection morn.

His wife, the faithful companion of forty-eight years of an eventful career survives him. He was the father of 21 children, 17 of which are living, 70 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.