Harvey Lee

1798 – 1877
WAR OF 1812
Birth: Guilford, Connecticut
Died: 1877 and buried in the Franklin cemetery
Married: Fanny Knight in Ontario County, New York in 1824
Service: Guilford Junior Militia, 2nd Regiment, 3rd Company

Capt. Eli Dudley, Lt. Jonathan Stone, Ensign Lyman Bishop were the officers. This Junior Connecticut Militia was made up of boys from 14 to 16 years old enrolled in the unit, but not mustered into service The company served by delivering messages, guarding roads and on night watches. They drilled and trained so that by 18, they were well-trained for conflicts.

Their day started at dawn gathering wood, clearing the camps, drills and marching. They returned in the evening to their families. It was not a polished unit. It was a community obligation.

He migrated to Ontario County, NY where he married Fanny Knight in 1824. Although the War of 1812 was over, he was likely in the 20 th NY Militia while he lived here. Enrollment was automatic not voluntary.

During this time, he was likely acquainted with Pitts Phillips, an 1812 veteran, who also lived in Ontario County with his wife Mary Daniels and was a member of the 20 th Regiment. Both couples would migrate to Oakland County, Michigan just a year apart. 

In 1829, Harvey and his family traveled by wagon to the Erie Canal, boarded a boat and sailed on Lake Erie to Detroit. They settled on 14 Mile just east of Franklin Road. Lee was a shoemaker. He also became a Justice of Peace in both Bloomfield and Southfield townships.

Dorothy Berger

1917 – 1943
WWII
Enlisted: 15 January 1943
Discharged: 25 April 1946

Dorothy was born in Franklin, Mi. Her grandfather, Otto Berger, was a Civil War veteran serving in the 5 th Michigan Infantry.

She reached the rank of Lt. as an Army nurse. Berger served as a highly-skilled nurse in tent hospitals in France, Italy and North Africa.

She wrote letters to families giving them reports of their wounded loved ones. One third of her pay she sent to her parents, one third to an aunt and she kept one third for herself.

Berger never sought a military pension saying that she was honored to serve and have the opportunity to see the world.

AFTER THE WAR

After the war, Berger worked for the Red Cross in many areas of the United States. Later she worked in polio hospitals