Lee J. Rountree

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Resolutions and Journal entries

• 38th Legislature, 2nd C.S., "Communication from Mrs. Lee J. Rountree," 5/15/1923, p. 769. House Journal.
• 88th Legislature, 4th C.S., HR 30, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the Honorable Lee J. Rountree of Bryan. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
• 38th Legislature, 2nd C.S., 5/5/1923, pp. 262-263. Rountree born in July, 1868. Resolutions - Memorial.
• 39th Legislature, R.S., 1/14/1925, p. 26. Resolutions - Memorial.

Biographical Sketches

• Photo and biographical sketch (Frances Rountree). Born 1878?, death date 12/5/1956. First woman elected to represent Brazos County. One of the first two widows of legislators elected to the Texas Legislature (with Cora Gray Strong.) Relatives: Lee J. Rountree - husband, Frances Rountree - wife. Capitol Women: Texas Female Legislators, 1923-1999, 2000.
• Lee J. Rountree (1868-1923), burial in Bryan City Cemetery, Brazos County. Includes photo, biographical sketch listing name "Leonidas Johnson Rountree." Find a Grave.
• Lee J. Rountree, mentioned in biographical sketch of wife Mrs. Lee J. (Frances) Rountree, Volume 2, pp. 1260-1261. "Mr. Rountree was a native Texan, having been born at Kyle in 1868, where he was reared and educated. He became editor of a publication at Kyle and while engaged in his first newspaper work, was appointed chief clerk of the house of representatives, where he obtained his first knowledge of legislative procedure and legislative duties. After serving several terms in this capacity he removed to Georgetown, Texas, where he established the Georgetown Commercial, which he managed and edited for almost twenty years. He next went to Sulphur Springs, Texas, as editor of a paper there, but after a few months came to Bryan in 1919, after having purchased the Bryan Daily Eagle. Mr. Rountree was a man of liberal education and widely traveled, having visited South America, and had made several trips to Europe, besides having visited every portion of his native land. His knowledge of people and places and his vast travels had made him a broad-minded man and had given him the forethought that led to his progressive ideas which he had incorporated into law, through his influence and ability as a statesman, after being a member of the Texas Legislature. He was president of the National Editorial Association for one term and was for several years orator of the Texas Press Association. He had risen to such a height in political circles that he was prominently and widely mentioned as splendid material for lieutenant governor of the State of Texas. He was elected to the office of member of the house of representatives in 1920, and served in the 36th, 37th and 38th legislatures. Mr. Rountree was a member of the A. F. and A. M. and had attained to the Knights Templar in this order, was a Shriner, a Knights of Pythias, an Elk, an I. O. O. F., and a prominent member of other orders. He was a member of the Methodist Church, this being the religion of his forbears. He did much for his community and State, putting forth at all times his earnest and diligent efforts. Mr. Rountree died at Austin, Texas, on May 2nd, 1923, while in the service of his State at Large, the summons to the great beyond coming to him at the close of a speech in the hall of the house of representatives." The New Encyclopedia of Texas, 1926.

Military Service Notes

• Confederate States Army, refers to "Colonel Rountree." 38th Legislature, 2nd C.S., 5/5/1923, pp. 262-263. Resolutions - Memorial.

Other Resources

• Mentioned in "A Journalistic Survivor - The History of The Eagle," 3/4/2005. Bryan Eagle.
• Obituaries and photo printed in Bryan Weekly Eagle, "Bryan and All Texas is Mourning Loss of One of State's Most Prominent Statesmen, Rep. Lee J. Rountree," 5/3/1923, p. 1. Bryan Eagle.
• Listed in "Men who have represented Grimes County in the House of Representatives/State Senate, 1846-1931," pp. 205-209. Includes Date, Legislatures, District, and Source of Data. Early History of Grimes County, 1930.
• Lee J. Rountree, birth date 7/15/1868 in Texas; death date 5/2/1923 in Austin, Travis County; editor newspaper. FamilySearch Texas Deaths, 1890-1976.
• Photo and obituary, "Lee J. Rountree Drops Dead While on Floor of Legislative Chamber," 5/3/1923, pp. 1-2. Galveston Daily News.

Photographs

• Photograph. Lee J. Rountree, 38th Legislature, State Preservation Board
• Photograph. Lee J. Rountree, 37th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

• 37th session composite photo of House members (House chamber gallery, west wall. 3W.2). State Preservation Board.
• 38th session composite photo of House members (House chamber gallery, south wall. 3W.2). State Preservation Board.

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