Introducing Fridays With Frank: A Weekly Series About Frank Lewis Lee

"Our Boy" c. 1883
Frank Lewis Lee, Age 6 Months

Since his file cabinet of family memorabilia so inspired me to unravel the Lee family history, I've decided to devote my Friday blog posts to my granddad, Frank Lewis Lee.  Though  I never knew him, my research about him is revealing quite a remarkable man and an interesting character.  I hope you'll enjoy reading this series as much as I know I'll enjoy writing it.

Let's begin at the beginning.  Frank Lewis Lee was the first of four children born to Gilbert Oliver Lee (1858-1923) and Georgia Ella Gill (1860-1949), both of Trimble County, Kentucky.  Frank was born on April 16, 1881, and his sister, Daisy, joined the family on February 11, 1883.  Both Frank and Daisy were born on Gill Ridge in Trimble County, Kentucky, at the home of their maternal grandparents,  John Lewis Gill and Sarah Shirley Gill.

Frank and Daisy lived with their parents on a farm that fronted the Ohio River.  According to the 1880 U.S. Census, Gilbert Lee was a farmer then and Georgia, or Georgie as some called her, kept house.  Both sets of grandparents, plus several aunts, uncles, and cousins all lived close by in Trimble County.  The Gills had a farm on Gill Ridge, while paternal grandparents, J. F. M. "Frank" Lee and Margaret S. A. Lee, had a farm only a few miles away which also fronted the Ohio River.

Birthplace of Frank L. Lee and Daisy Lee
Home of John L. Gill & Sarah Shirley Gill
Gill Ridge, Trimble County, Kentucky
Pictured in photo are Frank L. Lee (right) & younger brothers,
Sidney Orin Lee (left) & Linus Virgil Lee (center)
Photo taken in August, 1950

Georgia Gill Lee, Gilbert O. Lee,
Daisy Lee, & Frank Lewis Lee
c. 1884

Home of Gilbert O. Lee & Georgia Gill Lee in 1880s and 1890s
Trimble County, Kentucky
Photo taken in August 1950

I hope you'll check back next Friday for more of Frank Lewis Lee's story and throughout the week for more discoveries about my Lee family!