[Excerpt] Addison W. Lee built the first stave mill in Deshler in 1873. He was born in Huron County, Ohio, on July 14, 1829. He headed to California during the 1848 gold rush and unlike so many others found success in the gold fields. He returned to Ohio and around the time of the Civil War entered the stave mill business forming the partnership of Lee & Weaver in Toledo. He came to Deshler as before stated and opened perhaps the second industry in the new town. The stave mill grew to become one of the "most extensive" in northwest Ohio. Lee became an important financial investor in Deshler and was the proprietor of the Bank of Deshler. He died in his room at the Fayram Hotel in Deshler.