Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-02-28
r. .h. nnh.ln Eoonomist
from tho DuHoae
GIDEON LEE.

GIDEON LEE.
Hunts Merchant's Magazine gives
sksleh ofthe life Of this eminent Mer-
chant, from which We copy the following
absIrsc, for the benefit Oi our young rea.
dosss Il will be recOllected Mr.. Lee rose TO
Rrsat wealth aud influence.
He was born in Amherst, Mass. on
the 9th Of April, IT'S, and lost his fs'
ther when quite child. While ye! in
infancy he went TO reside with an uncle,
a farmer, in whose service il was his du'
" TO look after the cattle and perform
Guch other acts as his strength permitted.
Suffering taught him reflection. ~ re-
member" said he, in after life, "when
was lad living with my uncle, il was
nv business to feed and milk the cows.
And many time, long before lig ut in
the morning, was started Otfin cold and
snow, without shoes, TO my work, and
used to think it luxury TO warm my fro>
zen feet in the place just before occuPl>
cd BY the animal had reused. II taught
me 10 reflect, and consider possibilities;
and remember asking myself, Is it not
possible for nae 10 better my cOndi-
tiou.
He was subsequently apprenticed to
the business Of tanning and shcemaking,
which trades he commenced on his own
account in the town OfWOFthiUgton, Mass
and soon by his industry and attention
10 business won the regard and conf.
denee Of his neighbors. He obtained
leather on credit, which he manufactur-
cd into shoes, always promptly paying for
it at the time he had agreed. He soon
began TO earn money SO that he was ena'
bIsd to pay for bis own education at the
Wesl6eld Academy.
An anecdote. which he used to relate
Of himself at this period, is worthy Of
being told. He made bargin with him.
self as he expressed it, 10 labor each day
q certain number Of hours (usually l6
out Of 24l and nothing but sickness
would prevent his doing il. Sometimes
his young nsighbOrs wOu ID tempt him a.
way and frequently girls would join in
inviting him to social amusements -
His gallantry especially could not resist
the last, but the time which he gave TO
them was never taken from labor, he took
80 much less rest; the morning sun
found him at work, redeeming lost
time.
After forming and dissolving CO.
partnership with Mr.. Hubbard, their
Stock having been burnt out. aud losing
all his savings, he removed to N. York
but before establishing himself here he
undertook a commercial adventure 10
ST. Mary's Geo. where he was taken
with the fever, which ruined bis consti-
tuition On his return voyage he was
wrecked aud barely escaped with his
clothes. Accompanied by a faithful friend
named Smith, he trudged to New York
on foot, where they arrived after undergo
ing great hardshiPS.
The independence and steadineSS Of
Mr., Lees character manifested itself on
an occasion toward the latter part Of his
journey, when, wanting supper and
mig hts lodging, and having no money TO
pay for Il, He knocked at the door Of
. farmer aud offered to chop as much
wood as would pay for his meal aud lOdg.
ing;which being assented to by the far
msr, he went TO work and earned what
his pride forbade him to accept as a char
ity.
Ia the year 1907 Mr.. Lee maVried the
daughter Of Major Samuel Burlington, OF
WOTthingtOn, Mass. and shortly after es.
tsblished himself in New York, in the
business in which he ultimately became
90 successful and eminent. The custom
among the leather dealers at that day was
20 sell on book account, and have annual
settlements; he adopted different plan,
and instead Of fsOlling on book account,
sold at lower prices, and tO0k notes pay
able at bank. He was appointed agent Of
large tannery Establishment, called the
@HampshiFs Leather Mandatory" and
his punctuality, industry, and fidelity won
che confidence Of the managers Of the
company. His prudence and learning
enabled him 10 accumulate means for en-.
IarRing his business, and the future o.
Pened 10 him bright prospect.
In 1922 he was elected TO the State
Legislature; in 1888 he was elected
Mayor Ofthe city. In 1886 he irstired
from mercantile pursuits aud was elected
q Colgress.In I64O he was chosen an q.
lseloF Of President and Vice Prssidsn for
che State Of NewYOrk. On his return
from Congress he retired 10 farm neat
Geneva, where he was seized with bill.
I0Us fever and Bsugia early in the month
Of July lS4l, Of which be died on the 2 let
August fOllOwi Dg, in the sixty fourth
ysar Of his age.
The esrSeF Of Mr.. Lee, which is thus
briefly Sumsd up, is one that any young
nan may initiate who possesses the requI.
Dits perseverance,, energy and determines !
lion. 10 acquire for him self respectable