Jens J. Lee

Jens J. Lee (1863-1935) was born in Trempleau County, Wisconsin, the son of John J. and Christina (Johnson) Lee, who was born in Christiansand, Norway, and immigrated to Wisconsin in 1860. Mr. J. J. Lee was one of a family of seven. Two brothers, John J. Lee of California and Charles J. Lee of Valley City, North Dakota survived. Jens J. Lee came to Dakota Territory in 1884 and worked on the Dalrymple farms at Casselton, North Dakota, then came to Valley City, North Dakota, where he worked in a meat market for Gerhart Swenson and for Tom Bridges. In 1890 Mr. Lee owned and operated a meat market in West Superior, Wisconsin. In 1892 he worked on his father's farm at Arcadia, Wisconsin, where he remained for six years. In 1898 he returned to Valley City where he opened his own market and in 1914 built a building for Lee's market. Jens J. Lee and Malene (Olson) Halvorson were married in 1894 in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Three sons were born to them.

  1. Gilbert (1895 - 1911),

  2. Lloyd Henry (1896-1959),

  3. Melvin (1901-1902).

In 1935 Jens J. Lee retired and his son Lloyd took over the business. The store building was sold in 1975; it had been owned by the Lee family for 77 years.

Lloyd H. Lee was married to Mabel Gotschall, born October 24, 1899, the daughter of William and Clementine Gotschall. Their children are: Patricia -Mrs. Dan Rasset who had eight children; Hanford Lloyd Lee - the first baby born in Mercy Hospital, married Nancy Fish -2 children; Beverly - Mrs. Berdell Brevig - 4 children; Myron Lee, married to Donna Barret -1 child.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 138