Robert Lees (July 3, 1842 – September 21, 1908) was a Scottish American immigrant, lawyer, judge, and Democratic politician.
During the American Civil War, he served in the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac and was badly wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.
[1] At the time, Buffalo County was a pioneer community with limited educational opportunities, but studied law under his father, Edward Lees.
[2] Lees served with the regiment through its participation in the major battles of the eastern theater, including Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg, and was promoted to first sergeant in the company.
He was subsequently paroled and sent to a Union Army hospital, where he remained until mustered out of federal service in July 1864.
On March 4, 1865, Robert Lees married Mary Baertsch, the daughter of another family of Buffalo County pioneers.