Business Magnate. He was the son of of Bradford Adams Lee and Sarah A. Raysor, and attended Conshohocken High School, graduating in 1879. He was encouraged to enter medical manufacturing by his Sunday School teacher, Charles Heber Clark. Immediately after high school he started working in Philadelphia's surgical instrument trade. In 1884 he started his own business in the attic of his parents' home in Conshohocken, manufacturing bandages, ligatures, and other surgical materials. In addition to surgical instruments and supplies, his company, JELCO, manufactured antiseptics. His products were sold nationally and internationally. Johnson and Johnson bought the surgical and medical part of Lee's business in 1905. Lee later expanded into the manufacture of automobile and truck tires. The Lee Tire and Rubber Company was known throughout the United States as "Lee of Conshohocken." In 1966, Lee Tires was purchased by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. John Ellwood Lee was a member of the Conshohocken Borough Council and a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. He was the husband of Jennie Wood Cleaver.
Business Magnate. He was the son of of Bradford Adams Lee and Sarah A. Raysor, and attended Conshohocken High School, graduating in 1879. He was encouraged to enter medical manufacturing by his Sunday School teacher, Charles Heber Clark. Immediately after high school he started working in Philadelphia's surgical instrument trade. In 1884 he started his own business in the attic of his parents' home in Conshohocken, manufacturing bandages, ligatures, and other surgical materials. In addition to surgical instruments and supplies, his company, JELCO, manufactured antiseptics. His products were sold nationally and internationally. Johnson and Johnson bought the surgical and medical part of Lee's business in 1905. Lee later expanded into the manufacture of automobile and truck tires. The Lee Tire and Rubber Company was known throughout the United States as "Lee of Conshohocken." In 1966, Lee Tires was purchased by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. John Ellwood Lee was a member of the Conshohocken Borough Council and a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. He was the husband of Jennie Wood Cleaver.
