A genealogy blog about the migration generation of my McKee Family line, including bios, transcribed obituaries, photographs, and research notes.



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Sunday, October 13, 2019

Jesse Lemuel "Lem" McKee 1890-1971 Missouri Michigan

I'm still buried in newspaper research. Thus you have the lack of posting to this blog. I'm finding all sorts of interesting articles...not the least is this series of articles about Lem.

Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 24 May 1906, Page 6
Joe Huff Killed.
Williamsville citizens were startled last Monday morning at the news of Joe Huff having been shot down and almost instantly killed by a son of Jesse McKee. Huff and Jesse McKee engaged in a quarrel about some trivial matter and McKee's son took sides with his father and shot Huff down. McKee claims that Huff drew a club on him and was about to strike him and that his murderous act was in self-defense.
Coroner Sheets held the inquest Monday afternoon. The verdict of the jury was that the deceased came to his death by a gun shot wound produced by young McKee. The young man is only about 17 years old. He has been given a preliminary before H. Manns and held to await the action of the circuit court. Constable Edgar delivered him to the sheriff here Tuesday.


Pemiscot Press, Caruthersville, Missouri, 5 Jun 1906, Page 1
Kennett Democrat: Joe Huff was shot and instantly killed while engaged in an altercation with Jesse McKee, at Williamsville, Tuesday, the fatal shot being fired by a 16-year old son of McKee. The two men were quarreling over a woodpile which McKee claimed obstructed a pathway used by him.


Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 7 Jun 1906, Page 2
Bound Over.
Lem McKee, who is charged with the murder of Joe Huff, was given a preliminary trial before 'Squire Manns at Williamsville last Thursday. He was held to await the action of the circuit court. His bond was fixed at $10,000 and he was committed to jail for failure to give bond. His mothers, Mrs. Jesse McKee was held as an accessory. Her bond was fixed at $1000 which was promptly tilled. Attorney O. L. Munger has been retained by the defendants and Almon Ing represents the state.


Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 2 Aug 1906, Page 7
WAYNE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DOCKET
List Of Cases To Be Tried At The August Term Of Circuit Court.
...
State of Mo vs. Lem McKee; murder.
...


Greenville Sun, Greenville, Missouri, 30 Aug 1906, Page 2
Circuit Court Proceedings, (Third Week)
...
State vs Lem McKee, murder, trial by jury and acquitted.
...


You just never can guess what information you'll run across when you start poking around. Lem went on to live an honorable life. He worked mostly as a carpenter, moving between the Williamsville, Missouri area and Pontiac, Michigan (as early as 1929). His obit--see below--says he lived in Detroit; however, I found him in Pontiac.

Piedmont Wayne County Journal-Banner. 11 Feb 1971, Page 2 Columns 4 and 5
J. L. McKee Rites Held in Williamsville
Jesse Lemuel McKee, the son of Jesse and Rosa Noble McKee, was born in Wayne County, Missouri, on January 6, 1890.
Mr. McKee was converted early in life and attended the Assembly of God Church for many years.
On November 1, 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Grable. Mr. and Mrs. McKee made their home in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a tool and die maker for General Motors Corporation until his retirement. Mrs. McKee passed away on May 29, 1959. On December 21, 1960, he was married to Mrs. Nellie Mae Frazier who survives.
Other survivors include a step-daughter, Mrs. Gloria Salamore of Harvey, Illinois; two sisters; Mrs. Julia Hillis of Dexter, Missouri and Mrs. Alice Howard of Jackson, Missouri; three-step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Mr. McKee passed away at the Doctors Hospital, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on February 4, 1971 at the age of 81 years and 21 days.
Funeral services for Mr. McKee were held in the Assembly of God Church, Williamsville, Missouri on February 7, 1971 with Rev. Lester Freeman officiating. Music was furnished by the church choir, with Mrs. Floyd Gurley at the piano. Serving as casket bearers were O. L. Holmes, William Cradic, Charles Tinker, Sam Willard, Gene Manns, and Donald Murray.
Interment was made in the Holladay Cemetery at Williamsville. Coder Funeral Home of Williamsville, in charge of arrangements.


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