This is not Lee Mann (or Li Man) who was born in China and came to America in 1869 at age 15. Arriving in Elk City, Idaho, he served as a packer over mountain trails, worked some placer ground and later was proprietor of a mercantile store.
In 1879, when he was 26, he returned to his native China, married and stayed only two years before returning to Idaho. He didn't return to China for 49 years (1928) and in the meantime his son had married and reared seven children.
Li/Lee was proud to be an American and didn't want to return to China even though his wife and son never immigrated. An article in the Spokane Daily Chronicle, 7 Jul 1935, states "at Elk City he is known as an honest citizen."
In 1930, Lee was living in Spokane, "widowed," never naturalized ("alien") and at age 76 was still employed. By 1840, he was 86, living in Grangeville, Idaho, working as a placer miner with "O" income.
Lee died on 19 September 1942 and lies resting in the Grangeville Cemetery.
What a story!
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