WILLIAM S. LEE is a great-grandson of Robert Lee, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America, and settled in Cross Creek township, Washington Co., Penn. His son Hugh was the grandfather of our subject. John Lee, father of William S., was born on the home farm in Cross Creek township, this county and in early life was united in marriage with Mary Ann Walker, who bore him two daughters. He afterward married Jane Ann Scott, who was born October 3, 1817, near Washington, Penn. She was a daughter of Samuel Scott, whose father, Josiah Scott, a native of Scotland, came to this country, where he ended his days. He was married to Jane Noble, who bore him eight children: four sons Samuel, John, Hugh and Alexander and four daughters. Samuel Scott was born about 1779, near Washington borough, and remained on the home farm during his boyhood. He was married to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of William Wiley, of this county, and the following children were born to them: William W., Josiah N., Jane Ann and Samuel G. (a prominent farmer of this county).
After his marriage to Jane Ann Scott, John Lee settled on the home farm in Cross Creek township, this county, where the following children were born, the names and dates of birth being given: William S., October 18, 1838; Eliza A., June 13, 1841; Mary M., March 25, 1843; Hannah J., March 20, 1846; John O., August 2, 1847; Samuel W., January 14, 1850; Hugh, December 25, 1851; Alice, January 26, 1853; Lucy, July 19, 1856. The father died April 23, 1856. He was a successful business man, and owned 310 acres of land at the time of his death, which property is now in the possession of his heirs, who occupy it. He was one of the most active politicians in the Whig party; in religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, holding the office of trustee, and working for the Master in many ways.
William S. Lee passed his early life on the home place. On December 31, 1863, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Thomas P. Vance, whose father, William Vance, born in 1776, was reared in Washington county, where he received a necessarily limited education, as schools were few, and at best afforded but meager opportunities. He was first married to Rachel Patterson, a resident of Cross Creek township, who bore him six children. She died, and a few years afterward he selected a second wife in the person of Hannah Patterson, a member of an old family of Cross Creek township, and to this union, also, there were born six children. William Vance always lived in Cross Creek township, and was one of the representative men of the day. He died in 1856. He was a Whig in politics, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Thomas P. Vance, son of William and Hannah (Patterson) Vance, was born July 15, 1819. He was reared on the pioneer farm, experiencing the privations of early frontiersmen, and received his education at the subscription schools. In early manhood Thomas P. Vance was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of George and Mary (Marquis) Newell, of Ohio, whose children were Hugh, Jane, Marquis, Margaret, David, Mary W., Ann, Sarah, Elanore, Joseph, Bentley, and Elzania. Mr. Newell was a Democrat, and in Church connection was a member of and elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Vance settled on a farm in Cross Crook township, this county, where he passed his life in agricultural pursuits. He paid much attention to stock raising, making a specialty of blooded stock. He was formerly a Whig, and upon the organization of the party, became a Republican. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek. On May 31, 1891, he was laid to rest in Cross Creek cemetery, leaving his wife and two children; W. W. (who married Miss J. A. Porter, of Cross Creek, and is now a successful merchant of Burgettstown), and Mary E. (Mrs. W. S. Lee).
William S. and Mary E. (Vance) Lee began married life on the home farm in Jefferson township, this county, and six years afterward moved to Burgettstown, where they have since resided. They have two children: H. May (wife of W. F. Scott) and Thomas V. (who was married June 3, 1891, to Miss Willa Carnahan, of Burgettstown). William S. Lee carried on a livery business for five years after removing to Burgettstown, but has since been giving his exclusive attention to undertaking. He is now identified with the U. P. Church. He is a leading citizen and an active member of the Republican party, and has been a councilman of Burgettstown for three years.
Text taken from page 820 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]