************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Submitted by Cheryl VanWomer AMASA F. AND AUGUSTA H. (COVERT) LEE ARCHELAUS C. AND HARRIETT E. (BOWEN) LEE Among the pioneer families of the western portion of Ionia County none perhaps have been more prominently identified with its early history and subsequent development than the Lees, and perhaps none are more intimately connected with its business interests than the gentlemen whose names head this biography. They are descended from Amasa Lee, who was born near Saratoga Springs, N. Y., in June 1787. But little is known of his early history farther than that his father was a farmer, and that he removed when a young man to the town of Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he purchased a small farm. He was one of the pioneers of that town, and his name is connected with many of the initial events in its history He was married in 1808 to Miss Electa Strong, daughter of Isaac and Mariam Strong. She was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1790. Her father was one of the early settlers of the town of Sennet, Cayuga Co., and a man of considerable prominence. He built the first mill erected in the city of Auburn, and also the first in the town of Elbridge. Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812 the elder Lee entered the service as a lieutenant. He served with distinction, and at its close he returned to his farm. His wife was as patriotic as himself. The day previous to his departure for his regiment she spent in moulding bullets, and she exhibited in other ways a true Spartan fidelity to her country's cause. Mr. Lee died in the town of Sennet, Cayuga Co., in 1832, highly esteemed for his general worth. In the prime of his life he was noted for his strength and agility. He took a prominent part in all social matters, and was a prominent member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Lee resided in Cayuga County until 1844, when she sold her property, and with three children, Archelaus C., Electa A., and Rhoda B., started for Michigan. She purchased a new farm on section 23, where she resided until her death, which occurred April 24, 1862. She was a fine type of the pioneer woman, and was highly esteemed for her many womanly virtues. Amasa F. Lee was born in the town of Sennet, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1826. His father died when he was but six years of age. He received a good common-school education, and at the age of eighteen came to the town of Odessa, Ionia Co., where his elder brother, Hiram, had previously settled. He worked by the month for a number of years. In 1850 he was married to Miss Augusta H., daughter of Benjamin and Sabrina Covert, early settlers of the town of Keene. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Lee purchased eighty acres of government land in Keene, running in debt for a large portion of the purchase-money. As a farmer Mr. Lee was eminently successful. To his small beginning he made repeated additions until, upon his removal to Saranac, he was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. He identified himself with the best interests of the town, taking a leading and advanced position. In all important matters his sound judgment, business ability, and integrity we recognized by his fellow-townsmen, who made him their representative upon the board of supervisors for nine successive terms. In October, 1868, in company with his brother Archelaus C. and A. W. Goodsell, he established the first banking-house in the western portion of the county. In 187 they purchased the interest of Mr. Goodsell, and the firm of Lee Brothers is considered to be among the solid banking institutions of the county. In connection with his banking business Mr. Lee is extensively engaged in milling and as a general buyer of all farm produce. Industry and a firm desire to succeed are the salient points in his character, and his success in business is attributable largely to his energy, thrift, and integrity. His career as a business man is certainly worthy of the emulation of young men. In his political and religious affiliations he is a Republican and a Baptist. Mr. Lee's history would not be complete without special mention of his wife, to whose industry and economy he attributes much of his success. She was born Feb. 23, 1823, in the town of Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y. Her father, Benjamin Covert, was a native of Virginia. Her mother, Sabrina Runyon, was born in the State of New York. They settled in Keene in 1845. They reared a family of fourteen children,--seven boys and seven girls. Mr. Covert was a man of sterling qualities. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of Keene's prominent pioneers. He died in Keen in 1876 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Mrs. Lee is the mother of four children named in the order of their ages,--Fred C., Florence A. (now Mrs. Jerome Browne), Adelaide A. (now Mrs. Don C. Jones), and Corey L. ARCHELAUS C. LEE, of the firm of Lee Brothers, was born in the town of Sennet, Cayuga Co., March 2, 1830. He received a good common-school education, which he made practically useful to himself and others as a teacher. He came to Keene with his family, and in May, 1850, was married to Miss Harriett E. Bowen, of Keene. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits up to 1865, when he went to Lowell, Kent Co., and engaged in merchandising. At the expiration of one year he returned to his farm in Keene, and shortly after went into trade in Saranac; but the occupation was not congenial, and in company with his brother, Amasa F., established the banking-house of Lee Brothers. He is a man of clear perception, sound judgment, and business sagacity. Both are emphatically self-made men, to whom the Latin phrase Faber suae fortunae can be appropriately applied. Starting in life with only his hands and an indomitable will, he has attained a foremost position among his business associates. Mrs. A. C. Lee was born in the town of Crawford, Orange Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1831, where her parents were also born; they removed to Keene in 1845, having previously lived in Oakland County some thirteen years. Mrs. Lee is a lady of high Christian character, and to her Mr. Lee attributes much of his success in life. They have four children,--Jennie (now Mrs. B. Wilkinson), Chadwick A. (married Cornelia Bash), Elmer E., and Elbert C. This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia: D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Between pages 208-209. Boston.