Captain D.S. Lee Mansion

Visit where the 1st Mayor of Independence, Capt. Daniel S. and Fannie L. (Brooks) Lee, lived! Lee was born in 1817 in New York. He headed West in pursuit of better opportunities. He became the first professional lawyer in Independence. Lee helped organize a bank and the Buchanan County Agricultural Society in town. With the beginning of the “War of the Rebellion”, Daniel Lee made a rousing patriotic speech at a mass meeting at the county court house in Independence. He ended the speech by becoming the first volunteer from Buchanan County. He helped raise a company of men which eventually became Company E assigned to the 5th Regiment Iowa Volunteers. On June 1, 1861, Lee was elected to the rank of captain. Mrs. Lee was also involved in the effort. On October 25th the same year, she was elected to the office of president of a soldier’s aid society in Independence. In 1867 Captain Lee and his wife moved into their new residence on the East side of Independence (the now Lee Mansion). Lee continued his political career, and in 1869 was elected to the office of Representative to the Iowa State Legislature. The property was used as Peoples Hospital for a period of time, but is now owned by Buchanan County Historical Society. BCHS is renovating the building as funds permits. Visit Lee Mansion or https://www.buchanancountyhistory.com/captain-d-s-lee-mansion/ for more information.