Lycurgus (Curt) S. Lee (1827 - 1918),
an early settler of Cass County, was born in Montgomery County, Maryland. He was a farmer near Bluff Springs. His parents were Caleb and Matilda (Higgins)
Lee. Caleb sold his share of the family
plantation in Maryland and, with his wife and children, came to Illinois in
1831. Caleb bought land one mile south
of Bluff Springs, Cass County ( then part of Morgan County ), in 1832.
Lycurgus was raised on his father’s farm. He attended what was known as the corner
schoolhouse and worked on the farm. He
later served as school director and road commissioner. Lycurgus had several brothers and
sisters: John; William; Thomas (moved to
Nebraska); Margaret (married Franklin Hammer of Beardstown); Amanda (married
Ossian Ross and they moved to Missouri); Martin (moved to Atchison County, MO,
where he was county clerk), and Charles.
Apparently, John and William died young.
Lycurgus was baptized at Rock Creek Episcopal Church in Montgomery
County, MD. The Lees went to the
Methodist church near Bluff Springs.
In 1854, Lycurgus married Luvina Ream.
She was born in Morgan County, IL, the daughter of John and Catherine (Purvine)
Ream. The Reams came from Pennsylvania,
and originally from Germany. Catherine (Purvine)
was born in Miami County, OH. Lycurgus
and Luvina’s children were: Charles,
Dora, Mary, Anna, Solon, and Ada.
Information comes from Dale Robertson, a cousin in Illinois.
