Description
San Francisco Mining Company and California Cygnet Company (1863-1902) list of
shareholders and legal papers; Investigative files: Robert W. Souter (1973-1876), Charles
G. Mugg (1874-1878, Joseph Wrigley (1858-1872), Piper-Baldwin (1863-1900), Fair-Craven
Case (1890s); photographs; notes; correspondence; resolution book.
Background
Isaiah W. Lees was born in Lancashire, England, December 25, 1830. When he was nine
months old, his family settled in Patterson, New Jersey. He sailed to San Francisco
aboard the Mary Francis, arriving on December 20, 1848. He
joined the San Francisco police force on October 26, 1853. He served continuously
forty-seven years, retiring in January 1900. Mr. Lees was promoted to Chief of Police and
served as Chief of Detectives. As a criminal officer, he travelled to Scotland Yard
several times and his picture hangs there to represent one of the great criminal officers
of his day. It was Captain Lees who founded the Rogues Gallery, using his own money to
make the original collection of pictures. He died on December 21, 1902, president of the
Veteran Police Association. He and his wife had five children, two of whom survived him.