Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-01-14
Death of William Lee. Sr.

VIM. Lee, who resided in this place
from 1875 for about ten years, and who
has been known to most people in this
vicinity for many years, died at the resi-
deDce of his son-iD-law, Hon. Samuel
Hilles, in Barnesville, early on last FRI
day morning, from an affection of the
bronchial tubes and general weaken
ing Of the vital forces.
Deceased was born December 25, 1898,
in Washington county, Pa, near Ewing
station on the CHARTERS Valley railroad,
about midway between Washington and
Cannonsburgh, He was one of twelve
fchildren Of Joseph Lee, who emigrated
from the North of Ireland, about the
middle of the 18th century, with several
brothers, on the good ship Faithful
Steward" and when they came in sight
of the Maryland shore, the ship put back
to sea and was scuttled, and all on board
were drowned save Mr. Lee, a brothers
wife and BJme cousins.
The subject of this sketch remained
with his father on a farm until he was
about twenty years of age, when he went
with relative on fiat boat to st. Louis,
remaining there about two ears, work
ing at the tailoring trade: Leaving there,
he went to Illinois, where he remained
for short time, when he went to CadiZ
about the year 1922. There he embarked
in merchandising, carrying on an extern
sive business. During this residence, he
was married to Miss Maria Pritchard,
daughter of Jesse Pritchard, then
prominent citizen of that place Ten
children were the fruits of this union,
live of whom suryive,-James, of New
Athens; Albert W., near New Athens
Mrs. Lizzie n. Hilles, Barnesville; Mrs.
Emma Moore. Red Oak. Iowa, and Viii
liam Fl. Lee, residing in Clark county,
Dakota. The wife died, May 8. ls49.
Mr.. Lee changed locations from Csdiz
to New Athens twice, and last merchan-
dised in New Athens. In 1852, he mar
ried a second wife, Mrs. Sarah McCon>
nell, sister of Samuel and William Clark,
of this vicinity, and in 1858 he sold his
store in New Athens. and removed to a
farm in Union tp, near Louisville.
where he remained until the spring Of
1875, when he came to st. Clairsvlle.
His second wife died in November, 1882.
Mr.. Lee took an active interest in church
and educational and governmental sf-
fairs.
In religious belief he was a Presbyteri-
an of the strictest sect. During the early
days of the anti-slavery agitation he did
not agree with the course pursued by his
church on that question, and organized a
Free Church" in New Athens. which
maintained its organization until the
close of the war. when it merged into
the Presbyterian church, OF which be
became An Elder. and so continued until
he changed his membership to the
church at St. Clairsville, when he was
constituted an Elder in that orsaniza-
ton. He was an active supporter and
friend of Franklin College. being at one
time its treasurer. and after ward, and
for a Humber of years, President Of the
Board Of Trustees of that institution.
Although possessing the confidence of
the public in marked degree, he never
held official place except that of Justice
OF the Peace of Union township for sew
eral years. He was man of great earn
estness, and was always willing to lead
whero duty called. He went to the
grave full Of years, and left behind a
record of we'll spent life. OF bis broth
ers and sisters but two remain-Samuel
Lee. of New Concord, Ohio, II years of
age, and Mrs. Elizabeth Buchanan, of
Illinois, over 80 years old. His funeral
took place on Saturday, at Barnesville
Rev. w L. Reed officiating. Interment
in Southern cemetery.