Edson Sewell Bastin (1843-1897) of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Elon N. Lee of Elk Horn, Wisconsin were students at the Old University of Chicago in the 1860s. The men were brothers-in-law, as Lee married Bastin's sister, Anna.
Bastin and Lee were very active during their time at the University. Bastin was the president of the senior class, secretary of the Berean Society (a literary society), vice president of Tri Kappa (a literary society), president of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and president of the Students' Association. Lee was corresponding secretary for the Athenaeum (a literary society). Bastin graduated in June 1867.
From 1864 to 1865 Lee served as a private in the Civil War in Company G, Unit 134 of Illinois. A typed version of his diary, that contains description of these experiences, is contained in this collection.
Bastin's son, Edson Sunderland Bastin, would also attend and eventually teach at the University of Chicago.
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