Those Who Make Memories
Auburn Centennial
Memories, 1888-1988
Auburn Journal
'He gave shoes from his store to children'
William Grant Lee was know to his friend and family as a driving force behind many of auburn's civic and business organizations.
Born in San Francisco in 1872, Lee came to Auburn in 1903 with his bride Mae Doulton and took over the E. R. Gifford Co. dry goods business in Old Town
Lee foresaw a great future for Auburn and invested in property along Lincoln Way. In 1906 he relocated his store, which by then had been renamed the William G. Lee Dry Goods Co. His move prompted a migration of businesses from Old Town to the Central Square area which helped to build up the east Auburn district.
"After Uncle Will moved his business from Old Town, the Masons asked if they could build a second story on the new building. So, the Masonic Lodge was built right on top of Will's one story store,"recalled his niece, Harriet Burner of Auburn.
Lee was also one of the first advocates of the Truckee River Route which changed the traffic pattern through the Sierra Nevada and ultimately resulted in the formation of the Reno to San Francisco Highway Association on which he served as vice-president.
"Uncle Will also had a hand in (forming) the Tahoe Club, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commece, the Rotary Club, the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento, and the Placer County Country Club," said Burner.
Lee served as president of the chamber for five years and was one of its first directors. He also served as the Rotarians' first president and was director of the county club. He was instrumental in forming the Tahoe Council of Boy Scouts.
Lee, a staunch supporter of Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 primary election, was rewarded for his campaign efforts by winning a seat as a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although this honor was a highpoint in his life, Burner remembers him for his altruistic endeavors.
"He was quite philantropic," Burner said. "I remember his giving shoes from his store to kids who couldn't afford them. He was one of the nicest men I've ever known."
transcribed by:
Glenda Ragan-Sep 12, 2012
.
son of: John H. Lee of England & Mary Cathie of NY
.
died at home at 109 Pleasant St., Auburn, Placer County, CA
Auburn Centennial
Memories, 1888-1988
Auburn Journal
'He gave shoes from his store to children'
William Grant Lee was know to his friend and family as a driving force behind many of auburn's civic and business organizations.
Born in San Francisco in 1872, Lee came to Auburn in 1903 with his bride Mae Doulton and took over the E. R. Gifford Co. dry goods business in Old Town
Lee foresaw a great future for Auburn and invested in property along Lincoln Way. In 1906 he relocated his store, which by then had been renamed the William G. Lee Dry Goods Co. His move prompted a migration of businesses from Old Town to the Central Square area which helped to build up the east Auburn district.
"After Uncle Will moved his business from Old Town, the Masons asked if they could build a second story on the new building. So, the Masonic Lodge was built right on top of Will's one story store,"recalled his niece, Harriet Burner of Auburn.
Lee was also one of the first advocates of the Truckee River Route which changed the traffic pattern through the Sierra Nevada and ultimately resulted in the formation of the Reno to San Francisco Highway Association on which he served as vice-president.
"Uncle Will also had a hand in (forming) the Tahoe Club, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commece, the Rotary Club, the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento, and the Placer County Country Club," said Burner.
Lee served as president of the chamber for five years and was one of its first directors. He also served as the Rotarians' first president and was director of the county club. He was instrumental in forming the Tahoe Council of Boy Scouts.
Lee, a staunch supporter of Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 primary election, was rewarded for his campaign efforts by winning a seat as a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although this honor was a highpoint in his life, Burner remembers him for his altruistic endeavors.
"He was quite philantropic," Burner said. "I remember his giving shoes from his store to kids who couldn't afford them. He was one of the nicest men I've ever known."
transcribed by:
Glenda Ragan-Sep 12, 2012
.
son of: John H. Lee of England & Mary Cathie of NY
.
died at home at 109 Pleasant St., Auburn, Placer County, CA
Those Who Make Memories
Auburn Centennial
Memories, 1888-1988
Auburn Journal
'He gave shoes from his store to children'
William Grant Lee was know to his friend and family as a driving force behind many of auburn's civic and business organizations.
Born in San Francisco in 1872, Lee came to Auburn in 1903 with his bride Mae Doulton and took over the E. R. Gifford Co. dry goods business in Old Town
Lee foresaw a great future for Auburn and invested in property along Lincoln Way. In 1906 he relocated his store, which by then had been renamed the William G. Lee Dry Goods Co. His move prompted a migration of businesses from Old Town to the Central Square area which helped to build up the east Auburn district.
"After Uncle Will moved his business from Old Town, the Masons asked if they could build a second story on the new building. So, the Masonic Lodge was built right on top of Will's one story store,"recalled his niece, Harriet Burner of Auburn.
Lee was also one of the first advocates of the Truckee River Route which changed the traffic pattern through the Sierra Nevada and ultimately resulted in the formation of the Reno to San Francisco Highway Association on which he served as vice-president.
"Uncle Will also had a hand in (forming) the Tahoe Club, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commece, the Rotary Club, the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento, and the Placer County Country Club," said Burner.
Lee served as president of the chamber for five years and was one of its first directors. He also served as the Rotarians' first president and was director of the county club. He was instrumental in forming the Tahoe Council of Boy Scouts.
Lee, a staunch supporter of Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 primary election, was rewarded for his campaign efforts by winning a seat as a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although this honor was a highpoint in his life, Burner remembers him for his altruistic endeavors.
"He was quite philantropic," Burner said. "I remember his giving shoes from his store to kids who couldn't afford them. He was one of the nicest men I've ever known."
transcribed by:
Glenda Ragan-Sep 12, 2012
.
son of: John H. Lee of England & Mary Cathie of NY
.
died at home at 109 Pleasant St., Auburn, Placer County, CA
Auburn Centennial
Memories, 1888-1988
Auburn Journal
'He gave shoes from his store to children'
William Grant Lee was know to his friend and family as a driving force behind many of auburn's civic and business organizations.
Born in San Francisco in 1872, Lee came to Auburn in 1903 with his bride Mae Doulton and took over the E. R. Gifford Co. dry goods business in Old Town
Lee foresaw a great future for Auburn and invested in property along Lincoln Way. In 1906 he relocated his store, which by then had been renamed the William G. Lee Dry Goods Co. His move prompted a migration of businesses from Old Town to the Central Square area which helped to build up the east Auburn district.
"After Uncle Will moved his business from Old Town, the Masons asked if they could build a second story on the new building. So, the Masonic Lodge was built right on top of Will's one story store,"recalled his niece, Harriet Burner of Auburn.
Lee was also one of the first advocates of the Truckee River Route which changed the traffic pattern through the Sierra Nevada and ultimately resulted in the formation of the Reno to San Francisco Highway Association on which he served as vice-president.
"Uncle Will also had a hand in (forming) the Tahoe Club, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commece, the Rotary Club, the Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento, and the Placer County Country Club," said Burner.
Lee served as president of the chamber for five years and was one of its first directors. He also served as the Rotarians' first president and was director of the county club. He was instrumental in forming the Tahoe Council of Boy Scouts.
Lee, a staunch supporter of Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 primary election, was rewarded for his campaign efforts by winning a seat as a California delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although this honor was a highpoint in his life, Burner remembers him for his altruistic endeavors.
"He was quite philantropic," Burner said. "I remember his giving shoes from his store to kids who couldn't afford them. He was one of the nicest men I've ever known."
transcribed by:
Glenda Ragan-Sep 12, 2012
.
son of: John H. Lee of England & Mary Cathie of NY
.
died at home at 109 Pleasant St., Auburn, Placer County, CA
Gravesite Details
cremains - from East Lawn
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
