Prominent Jeweler and politician: S.E. McLees

Samuel E. (known as S.E.) McLees, was a very active merchant jeweler at 38 West Park Street in Butte, according to The Anaconda Standard in September 1890 and then in Philipsburg where he was also a politician in early Philipsburg days. The Philipsburg Mail December 9, 1898 stated” To break the monotony of every-day life and have a little sport on Christmas afternoon, several of our enterprising business men have arranged a racing tournament to take place on Broadway….The races are confined to Granite County horses.” Then the article states all of the prizes and who donated them. Many were donated by S.E. McLees including a $60 split-second chronograph watch ; a $70, 14 carat gold-filled stop watch and a $30 silver stop watch. 

In The 1901, Philipsburg Mail’s, there are frequent references to his Jewelry store, such as October 4: “S.E. McLees, the jeweler, has added to his already extensive stock, a complete line of cutlery--razors, pocket knives etc”. 

Samuel Edward McLees, born in Taylorstown, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1867 to Alexander E. and Isabelle Hodgens McLees, was one of three children. The parents were both natives of Pennsylvania and followed the mercantile trade business. Sam’s father died at age sixty, in 1877 and his mother lived until 1917. From the age of fourteen to eighteen, Sam served an apprenticeship in a jewelry store in Washington, Pennsylvania, and came west, when this ended, to Fargo N.D. After working as a jeweler for two years, he returned to the east and took a course in engraving, then became employed by the Elgin Watch Factory. Next he moved to Butte and opened a store that burned down within thirty days. He re-opened and stayed in business there for two years, then moved to Philipsburg. 

He married Catherine Rose McCullough, an immigrant from Canada, on April 20, 1898 in Philipsburg. S.E. served as City Alderman for four years, then was first elected as Mayor to Philipsburg in 1910. While campaigning for his re-election in 1914, McLees, was cited by a large article in the Philipsburg Mail, as doing an excellent job of cleaning up the City Sewer problems, also the contamination of Camp Creek, which was causing unhealthy issues in the lower part of the city and had increased the property owned by Philipsburg, while cutting taxes coming into the town, by $1,000.00. Property now owned by the city included City Water Works, valued at $40,000.00; $5,000.00 worth of building and furnishings for City Hall; $200.00 for the jail and pound; $1,525.00, worth of hose, hook and ladder wagon, four wheel and two wheel carts, Bell and Fire tower; City Sewer, worth $15,000.00 and thirty cement street crossings and eight cement alley crossings, for a total value of $64,835.00. 

S.E.’s mother died in Taylorsville, Pennsylvania, on June 8.1917. According to the Mail, (Mayor) “Mr. McLees, arrived at her bedside before she lost consciousness, so was able to speak with her.” In March, 1918, Mr. Haverty sold a Dodge Brothers touring car to Mayor S.E. McLees. In June of 1926, S.E. presented an interesting paper to the Rotary Club, describing precious stones and where they were found. At that time, he was still an active merchant of the city and the Mayor. He declined to run for Mayor, in 1928, after serving for seventeen consecutive years in that position. His favorite cause was the municipal water system. 

Sam was actively involved in the Masons, Odd Fellow’s, Selish Tribe Order of Red Men and the Philipsburg Rotary Club and served on the Grade and High School Boards over the years. 

Samuel E. McLees died of bladder and prostrate cancer, October 4, 1930, in a Butte Hospital, after having surgery. The funeral was held from his home on California Street, to the Episcopal Church with Rev. Lawrence Rose officiating. Internment was in the Philipsburg cemetery, with pallbearers: John Yenter, Freeman Tinklepaugh, Chauncey Kennedy, E. Irvine, Fred Geiger and Walter Kroger. Honorary pallbearers were: Hon. D.M. Durfee, Frank Winninghoff, A.S. Huffman, Thomas Botscheider, Hon. J.D. Kennedy, W. Albright, John J. Orr, R.E. McHugh and Roy Neitz. 

The McLees Jewelry Store was purchased by Charles B. Lawrenson, of Missoula in February of 1931. Mrs. McLees operated the store after Sam died until it was sold. Lawrenson had operated a jewelry store in Missoula and Hamilton, before working for Frank Borg Jewelry Store, in Philipsburg. 

Catherine (Katie) McCullough McLees was born to John and Isadore Lundy McCullough October 2, 1867 and died at the age of eighty-three, November 27, 1950. Her descendants were: daughter Eunice McLees Jarvi and her spouse Walter, plus grandchildren Joan, Jean and Bill Jarvi.