The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-01-12
PROF. JOSEPH F. Lee.
GENTLEMAN, SCHOLAR, CHRISTIAN.
Pure in Heart Blameless in Life e-Ex-
allied in Death.
1s22-1s1O.

1822-1S1U.
Having known Prof. Lee for long time
IL may not be amiss for one who Is himself,
far out on the outports OF time, to say
something Of deceased friend.
Few men living today have known him
longer than he who now mourns.
n1S51 while Mr.. Lee, was professor in
Erskine, W. N. Stansell and this writer
were printers. Henry brennan and John
Thompson we're students, living In, the
same quarters.
Dr. j. o. Lindsay and Mrs. Lindsay were
host and hostess. Since then, all, save
this writer, have passed over the River.
In 1851 Mr.. Lindsay had family prayers
and when he could secure their attendance,
his boarders assembled. around the family
altar. Mr.. Lindsay always expressed his
gratitude for having been born in land OF
Bibles and churches where all might have
knowledge of our Redeemer. He prayed
that the Eye that never sleeps nor slumbers
might keep watch over US during the 81
lence and darkness Of the night that He
might keep all harm from our dwellings
while we slept that we might rise in the
morning, fitted for the duties and the re-
sponsibilities of another day.
Joseph F. Lee was born in Charleston
December II, 1922.
When child his parents moved with
him to Calhoun mills in Abbeville County.
He was educated at Due West, having
been graduated from Erskine College in
1s49, with the first honors Of the second
class that was graduated from that insti-
tuition.
After his graduation from the literary
institution at Due West, he studied theo-
logy in New York, with the view Of enter
ing the ministry in the Episcopal church,
which service he finally declined because
Of imperfect health.
In 1850 he was elected Professor OF math-
ematics and science in Erskine College.
OF the emineut ability and the intellectual
requirements which fitted him for the
position we need not speak.
In 1859 he made the dedicatory address
on the laying Of the corner stone OF the
Due West Female College, and no man
in all that assembly could have made a
more thoughtfal or more polished speech
on that historic occasion.
In the sixties he resigned the professor
ship Of mathematics and science in Ers-
kline college.
Duringthe war he entered into the mill
tary service but was rejected because OF
defective vision.
In 1854 he was married to Miss Martha
Brice OF Fairfield County.
Immediately after their marriage Mrs.
Lee came to Due West to live with her
husband.
They bought the home once owned by
DR.. E. E. Pressly and they lived in 1t for
nearly half century, where six children
came to them. Mrs. W. o. Cochran,
now OF Kentucky, and Mrs. c. M. Boyd OF
Anderson, S. c., survive their father.
The careers Of the four other children
we're cut off in the midst Of their L full
ness:
Miss Susie Lee married the Rev. 3. H
Grier OF the A. R. P. Church. After ten
years Of happiness with her husband, and
after four children had been born t0them,
she laid down her life. Her heart Is still
ed. Her voice is hushed. Her home is in
the garden OF the slumberers.
Frank Lee, young, hopeful and gene
rous, whose soul painted for communion
with the good and the great, while in
the prospective his pathway seemed bor-
dered with the brightest flowers" fell a
victim to one Of the many ills that afdict
the human family, and he entered upon
that sleep from which there is no waking.
Rev. Robert A. Lee, distinguished for
piety, ability and force Of character, was q
preacher of much learning who gave
great promise Of usefulness in the work OF
the Master. All who knew him had the
highest anticipations for what seemed to
be boundless usefulness. His career was
cut short. While resting from his labors
and enjoying mountain scenery with
friends, q summer cloud over shadowed
them, and he was stricken by the light
ning's flash. His body rests in the Epis-
copal cemetery at Abbeville.
Miss Amanda Lee, the joy and the SOL
ace of aged parents. was stricken down,
and she, too, crowned with the passion
flowers that never die, went to her grave
in that great sleep which men call death.
Prof. Lee after having lived for eighty
seven years, yielded up his noble spirit
on January 8, 1910, at the home
of his son-in-law, Rev. G. NJ. Boyd
O, Anderson. Thus was ended long
and pure life, and he entered upon that
great sea of which we know so little,
though the eye Of faith may enable us to
gee and to know so much of the other
shore.
"The aged patriot, bowed down with age
and care, even as he looked out upon the
distant hills for the coming
Of the angel host" bid us
adieu and his body now rests in the ceme-
tory Of Due West, to which sacred spot
so many Of his kin and 80 many OF his
friends have preceded him.
Rooouse of sore or QrieyOuS afflictiOnS