California Biographies, Santa Cruz Count
JULIUS LEF. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 

JULIUS LEF. 

It would be difficult, if not indeed impossible, to mention a name more intimately identified with the history of law and 
jurisprudence in Santa Cruz county than that of Julius Lee, who from the year 1862 until his death had made his home in 
Watsonville and who from the time of his arrival until his retirement during the opening years of the twentieth century 
occupied a position of the highest influence at the bar of his home city. Liberally endowed by nature with logical reason- 
ing faculties and fluent command of language, he supplemented his native endowments by the most arduous applica- 
tion and acquired a thorough knowledge of the laws of this and other states, as well as a familiarity with the classics, 
with literature of all ages and with art. From an intellectual standpoint he presented the spectacle of a man well-rounded 
in character, well-informed in the profession of his choice and well qualified to attain a position of eminence through- 
out the locality where the efforts of years were centered. In addition to the valuable practice which he established in his 
home city and county, he became known elsewhere as a counselor of sagacious judgment, and he was frequently called to 
the counties of Santa Clara, Monterey and San Benito, for consultation with local attorneys. The fees accruing from 
his extensive practice were invested with the sagacity characteristic of his every act and resulted in the accumulation 
of important property interests. 

The reputation which Mr. Lee acquired in the law was enhanced by his readiness at repartee. Professional antago- 
nism ofttimes was converted into friendliness by the choice bon mot that fell from his lips. The most difficult situation 
was relieved by his good-humored sallies. Friends familiar with his mental characteristics were never surprised at his 
epigrams, but to a stranger they always came with a shock of surprise, for the appearance of the attorney suggested 
meditation rather than humor. Of an impressive physique, his smooth-shaven face gave no hint of his age, but revealed 
the strong features that marked the man. On one occasion a friend inquired of him regarding his ancestry. His quickness 
at repartee is shown in the fact that he immediately replied by quoting these lines: 

''My ancient though ignoble blood 
Has flowed through rebels ever since the flood." 

The reply though apt was not wholly germane to the case in hand, for the Lee family is not of ignoble origin. Its 
branches, both in the north and in the south, have been honorably associated with the history of their places of residence 
and have displayed a love of home and a valor in war that entitles them to rank among the best citizens of our country. 
One branch of the Lee family became established in New England very early in the colonization of the new world. 
Though less conspicuous than the southern Lees, they were not less valiant in war and industrious in the arts of peace. 
Julius Lee descended from the Connecticut branch of the race and was born in the village of Granby, near Hartford, 
May 25, 1829. When he was not yet four years of age he was bereaved by the death of his father ; the surviving mem- 
bers of the family removed to Ohio, settling in the hamlet of Hiram, afterward famous as the home of James A. Garfield 
and the scene of his educational activity as president of Hiram College. 

On the completion of the studies taught in the Hiram public schools, Julius Lee found himself ambitious for greater 
opportunities, yet lacking the means necessary for a college course. In early youth he had mastered the classics to an 
unusual extent. Destiny seemed to call him to a high place in the world of- thought. Eager to prepare himself for 
achievement, he sought the means of enlarging his fund of knowledge. A favorable opportunity soon came. While 
studying at the Twinsburg Institute in Summit county he was also a teacher there of those parts of the curriculum with 
which he was most familiar. In that way all expenses were defrayed and he was enabled to devote particular attention 
to the study of higher mathematics. When about twenty-two years of age he entered the sophomore class of Alleghany 
College and by teaching was enabled to meet the expenses of the college course as he had those in the academy. In 1853 he 
was graduated with the honors of class salutatorian and valedictorian of his college society. 

A service of two years as tutor in the Twinsburg Institute was followed by an acceptance of the chair of Greek and 
Latin in the Washington College near Natchez, Miss. One year later, at the age of twenty-seven, he retired from educa- 
tional work. While pedagogy was used by him merely as a stepping stone to the law, he was unusually successful as 
a teacher and that portion of his career was no less gratifying than later labors along another line of mental activity. 
Leisure hours in his experience as an instructor were devoted to the study of law and then for a year he studied 
under the preceptorship of Hon. Thomas A. Marshall, of Vicksburg, Miss., after which he was admitted to practice in 
tlie supreme court of that state. It was not, however, his intention to remain in the south. The west had already cast 
its fascinating spell upon him. Its opportunities appealed to his aspiring energy. The country which a few years be- 
fore had drawn eager Argonauts from all parts of the world seemed to him to present other opportunities besides those 
of the mines and he made his plans to remove thither. 

The large and carefully selected library which indicated Mr. Lee's love of study was shipped around the Horn, but he 
chose a quicker route to the coast and came via the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, landing in San Francisco on the last day of 
June in 1859. Pending the arrival of his library he accepted a position in the office of Hon. S. W. Holladay, city attorney 
of San Francisco and one of the leading lawyers of the state. A few months later the library arrived safely and the young 
lawyer thereupon brought the books to Monterey, where he opened an office. Shortly after his arrival Mr. Gregory re- 
signed the office of district attorney in order to attend the Charleston convention and Mr. Lee was appointed to the 
position. At the expiration of the term he was duly elected to the office, which he tilled until the election of his successor in 
the fall of 1862. Earlier in the same year he had removed to Watsonville, where he served as district attorney for two 
successive terms. Later the Republican party nominated him for superior judge, but he declined the nomination for the 
reason that an election would necessitate removal to Santa Cruz, thus causing the loss of the excellent law practice he 
had established in his home city. While serving as district attorney he engaged as his deputy at the county-seat J. H. 
Logan, who afterward served as district attorney of this county and also was honored with the office of superior judge. 
During the year 1869 Mr. Lee married Marcelia Elmore, a native of New York. They became the parents of a son, 
Julius Elmore Lee, now of Watsonville, who was educated at Heald's Business College at San Francisco and the Uni- 
versity of the Pacific in San Jose. 

In closing this article we wish to quote from the Pacific Coast Commercial Record of San Francisco. While the men- 
tion of Mr. Lee made by that paper occurred over twenty years ago, in 18S9, it applied appropriately up to the time 
of his death, with the exception that he was retired from practice and transacted no professional work other than act- 
ing as advisor in various very important cases. As an office practitioner and counselor-at-law, Mr. Lee is recognized 
as possessing great ability, judgment, and a close and intimate knowledge of precedents and authorities on legal 
questions of all kinds. He is quick to grasp the salient points of any case brought to his consideration, and being a master 
of English, with a remarkably fine command of language, expresses himself in an extremely forcible and convincing 
way. He is impressive in address and possesses the faculty of presenting his argument to the court and jury in a con- 
cise and powerful manner, which carries with it great force and effect. His predominating characteristics may be 
summed up as suaviter in modo, fortiter in re. This gentleman is familiar with and is a recognized authority on land 
titles and matters. He has made this branch the subject of his special study, and has been retained as leading counsel 
in important suits arising from disputed or apparently confused land grants from the Mexican government previous to 
the cession of California to the United States. 

"Personally Mr. Julius Lee is a man of strong individuality, a gentleman of education not only in his profession, but 
in general subjects. He enjoys the respect and esteem of the community, both in a professional capacity and as a 
private citizen. Though Mr. Lee has just passed his sixtieth year, his age sits very lightly upon him, and at an age when 
many men are thinking of getting old, he is robust, active and vigorous in mind and body. This gentleman has great faith 
in the future advancement of the city of Watsonville and of the Pajaro valley and lends his support to any enterprise 
having as its object the good of this charming locality." 

The death of Mr. Lee occurred in Watsonville March 28, 1910, and was the occasion of universal mourning in his home 
city and surrounding country, for his was a personality that drew all men to him, none knowing him but to love and revere 
him.