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

Sunday's Obituary - SCHULER, William Lloyd (1912-1965), BAUGH, Rosa Belle LEE (1916-1978)

WILLIAM LLOYD SCHULER
William Lloyd Schuler, 53, of 918 S. Jefferson St., Lockport, died Wednesday (Aug. 4, 1965) at his home.
He had been under a doctor's care for some time but was stricken suddenly. The Lockport Fire Department inhalator was summoned. Mr. Schuler had just returned from a vacation trip.
A native of Lockport born June 1, 1912, he was a lifetime resident. He owned and operated a Texaco Service Station from 1940 to 1950, when he retired due to ill health. He owned the station at the time of his death and the Schuler Mobile Home Court in Lockport. He was member of First Methodist Church and Lockport Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 538. He was preceded in death by his father, William J. last Dec and a sister, Marie.
Surviving are his widow, the former Rosa Belle Lee: daughter Eleanore, both of Lockport, 2 sons, Lee of Lockport and Raymond of E. Peoria; five grandchildren; his mother Mrs. Nettie E. Schuler, of Lockport; three sisters, Mrs. William (Eleanor) Boldt of Muskego, Wis., Mrs. Henry (Mildred) Kampe of Joliet and Mrs. Frank (Dorothy) Subka of Lockport.
Services will be at the Goodale Funeral Home, Lockport, Friday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Merle Hall will officiate. Burial will be in Lockport City Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Masonic services will be at 8 p.m. The family has suggested that memorials may be made to the First Methodist Church.

obituaries
SCHULER, William Lloyd-Age 53 years of 918 So. Jefferson Street, Lockport. Passed away suddenly at his home August 4, 1965. Preceded in death by his father, William J. Schuler, and a sister, Marie. Survived by his wife, Rosa Belle nee Lee, one daughter, Miss Eleanor Schuler, both of Lockport; two sons, Lee of Lockport and Raymond of East Peoria, Illinois; five grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Nettie E. Schuler nee Couch of Lockport; three sisters, Mrs. William (Eleanor) Boldt of Muskego, Wis., Mrs. Henry (Mildred) Kampe of Joliet and Mrs. Frank (Dorothy) Subka of Lockport. Nieces and nephews. Member of First Methodist Church and Lockport Lodge AF and AM No. 538. Remains are at the Goodale Funeral Home where services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Merle Hall officiating. Interment Lockport City Cemetery. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday. Masonic services will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Memorials to the First Methodist Church will be appreciated.

"WILLIAM LLOYD SCHULER," obituary, Joliet Herald-News, 5 August 1965, unknown. clipped copy from paper.

William Schuler
William Lloyd Schuler, 53, 918 S. Jefferson, died Aug. 4 at home. Born June 1, 1912 in Lockport, he had been a lifelong resident. A member of the First Methodist Church, Lockport Masonic Lodge AF and AM 538, Sarah D. Moon Chapter, Order of Eastern Star #191, he had owned and operated a service station and Schuler Mobile Homes from 1940 to 1950 when he was forced to retire due to ill health. He leased the service station from 1950.
His father, William J., preceded him in death in 1964. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Marie.
Survivors are his widow, the former Rosa Belle Lee; his mother, Nettie Ethel, nee Couch; a daughter, Eleanor, Lockport; two sons, Lee of Lockport and Raymond of East Peoria; five grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. William (Eleanor) Boldt of Muskego, Wis., Mrs. Henry (Mildred) Kampe of Joliet and Mrs. Frank (Dorothy) Subka of Lockport; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday at 2 p.m. from the Goodale Funeral Home with Rev. Merle Hall officiating. Interment was in Lockport City Cemetery.

"Obituaries William Schuler," obituary, Graphic News, 12 August 1965, page 15. clipped copy of paper.
 
BAUGH, ROSA BELLE
nee Lee, 62 of Ft. Myers, FL. March 17, 1978 at Graham Hospital, Canton, IL. Born Sept 2, 1916 in Ashland, AL, she resided in Lockport for 36 years, moving to Ft. Myers, FL in 1966. Member and past-matron of Sarah D. Moon O.E.S. Chapter 191 and member First Methodist Church, Ft. Myers, FL. Preceded in death by her husbands, William Lloyd Schuler, and Jesse L. Baugh; her parents James and Mindie (Carpenter) Lee. Survived by a daughter, Mrs. Douglas (Eleanor) Kwasigroh of Heyworth, IL, two sons, William Lee Schuler of Lockport, and Raymond E. (Mary) Schuler of Canton, IL. two step-sons, Jesse Baugh and Jerry (Patricia) Baugh, both of Toledo, OH.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ruby Oswalt, Junction City, AZ. Mrs. Frank (Una Mae) Perseghin, Dudalk, MD. two brothers, James W. (Eulah) Lee of Margate, FL, and Edward Lee of Dudalk, MD; nieces and nephews. Services will be held at the Goodale Funeral Home, 912 S. Hamilton St., Lockport Tuesday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Charles J. Meyer officiating, Interment Lockport City Cemetery, Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday.

"BAUGH, ROSA BELLE," undated clipping, March 1978, from unidentified newspaper; Blackmon Collection Family Papers; privately held 2013 by Selma Blackmon, [address for private use], Norcross, Georgia.