Did the LEE or SCHULER families plan their history?

 Family history, the connections between families told in interesting stories. Hopefully my assignment from Amy Johnson Crow’s #52ancestors on “history” will prove interesting and encouraging to my readers. Two totally different families, one from Alabama and the other from Illinois joined lives to produce hard working fun loving descendants. This family was chosen because Rosa Belle LEE and William Lloyd SCHULER named their first son Lee Schuler. The SCHULER family roots are deep in Lockport, Will County, Illinois, since 1850. James Thomas LEE started and ended in Clay County, Alabama.  His descendants cover many states from Maryland and Arkansas. One of Mr. LEE’s occupations was crane operator which is the first name in this article.

LEE – Kimmel, Bedford County, Pennsylvania

LEE, James Thomas “JT” 1886-1970

Relationship to me: father-in-law to maternal uncle

A family photo shows JT as a crane operator at Kimmel, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The family remembers his telling and showing photos of working on a tunnel. The photos include Ray’s Tunnel West. The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened this part of the highway from 1940-1968 to vehicle traffic.  In the 1960s a bypass of about 13 miles was added eliminating some of the tunnels.  Currently this abandoned roadway serves as a nature trail for bikers and hikers.

SCHULER – Illinois & Michigan Canal, Illinois

SCHULER, John 1815-1875 and son Charles 1845-1904

Relationship to me: second great grandfather and great-granduncle

In the 1850 census, John worked as a laborer and lived in Lockport, Illinois. In the 1870 census, John’s son Charles worked as a canal teamster

SCHULER, John 1841-1916 and son Edward 1876-1940

Relationship to me: great grandfather and granduncle

In the 1870 census, John worked as canal captain. Future census’ listed John’s occupation as teamster. In the 1900 census, John’s son Edward worked as a teamster. A search of the I&M Canal records provide pay records to Edward as a teamster.   

SCHULER, William John “WJ” 1871-1965

Relationship to me: direct maternal grandfather

Willie started working on the I&M Canal at a young age as a mule driver; he ended his time on the canal as a steam boat pilot.  In the 1900 census, WJ worked as a boatman. In 1848, the I&M Canal joined the Chicago River with the Illinois River at LaSalle, Illinois, a distance of 96 miles. My grandfather, WJ Schuler, had the privilege of guiding the last boat through the Channahon Locks, Channahon, Illinois, in the early 1900s. Now we enjoy the recreational areas that have been developed all along the path.

SCHULER – Grundy County Speedway, Morris, Illinois

SCHULER, Lee 1933-1985

Relationship to me: maternal 1^st cousin

Lee encouraged and included his family in his hobby of stock car racing. The family worked on the cars and traveled to races on the week-ends. Lee was a late model stock car driver and sportsman with many loyal stock car racing friends and fans.

These men passed along strong work ethics. And their love for their families continues today. I remember JT brining home abandoned baby animals and the family hand raising them. I enjoyed the Schuler canal stories and our bike rides on the trails. I cherish memories of going to the races with family. Three generations later, family members are still active in racing. Now with Facebook, I follow the family in their projects, volunteer or hobby. I read about their school progress including football and music. Our family is still making history.

 Did JT ever think his labor on the tunnels would provide recreation for future generations? Or did the Schuler family foresee the miles of public pathways? Or did Lee Schuler desire to have a yearly week-end named for his racing passion? The Lee Schuler Memorial Race continues every Labor Day at the Grundy County Speedway, Morris, Illinois.

  What is your passion? Share it!

31 August 2025 Lee Schuler Memorial 61 Super Late Model race