Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Lee,  David W.
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


DAVID W. LEE, proprietor of Fruit Hill farm in Bedford 
township, Bedford County, Pa., is carrying on a substantial 
business as a general farmer and milk dealer, and is known 
as one of the most progressive and prosperous agriculturists 
of this vicinity.  He was born in Bedford township, July 15, 
1841, being a son of Nathan and Martha (Hunt) Lee.  He comes 
of distinguished Colonial stock, the emigrant ancestor from 
whom he is descended being, it is said, the founder of the 
family from which Generals Robert E. and Fitz-Hugh Lee 
sprang.
  Nathan Lee was a son of George Lee. He passed his entire 
life within the limits of Bedford County, and died November 
19, 1875.  He married Martha Hunt, daughter of Thomas Hunt, 
and of their children the following are now living: David 
W., the special subject of this sketch; Henry W., of 
Bedford, Pa.; Winfield S., of Hyattsville, Md.; George W., 
of Bradley, Ill; Benjamin Franklin, of Wilkinsburg, Pa.; and 
John C., of Hillsboro, Md.
  Thomas Hunt, the maternal grandfather, was born and reared 
in Dublin, Ireland.  When nineteen years old he emigrated to 
America, and for some years afterward resided in Bedford, 
Pa.  Subsequently, removing with his family to Cumberland 
Valley township as a pioneer, he took up and patented a 
large tract of land, and from that time until his death was 
there engaged in farming pursuits.  A man of great 
intelligence and strong personality, he was influential in 
the administration of local affairs, and while living in 
Bedford served several years as Justice of the Peace.
  David W. Lee was reared and educated in Bedford township, 
and during the larger part of his active life he has devoted 
his time mainly to the cultivation of the soil.  In 1867 he 
purchased his present fine farm of two hundred acres, which 
he has since managed most skillfully and successfully, 
carrying on general farming and dairying.  He has built up a 
large milk route in Bedford, and from his dairy of Jersey 
cows, numbering from thirty to thirty-five, he supplies his 
customers with pure milk and cream.
  When the railway between Bedford and Cumberland was built, 
he had charge of the construction of more than two miles of 
it, and when the town of Bedford decided to establish water 
works he was awarded the contract for the same, and 
superintended the construction of the plant.  A practical 
business man, willing to serve the public to the best of his 
ability, Mr. Lee has often been called to places of trust.  
He is now president of the board of trustees of the Job Mann 
Fund of twenty-five thousand dollars, left by the late Hon. 
Job Mann, the income of which is to be used to educate poor 
but talented young men for the ministry.  He is a director 
of the Bedford County Agricultural Society, and has served 
as one of the School Directors for Bedford township.
  During the Civil War Mr. Lee served for two years in 
Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry; and, as a member of Colonel Roy Stone's 
"Bucktails" was at the front in the battles of the 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, 
the siege of Petersburg, and in numerous minor engagements.  
Fraternally, he is a member of Major William Watson Post, 
G.A.R.  Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the 
principles of the Republican party.
  On December 4, 1867, Mr. Lee married Miss Harriet Boor, 
also of Bedford county.  She died May 9, 1879, leaving five 
children, namely: Ella J., wife of Harry Fodders; Charles 
E.; Samuel E.; Nettie M.; and Ross F.  He subsequently 
married, February 19, 1880, Miss Elizabeth Weisel, daughter 
of John Weisel, late of Bedford, Pa.  By this union he has 
one child, Minnie R., the mother being deceased.  Mr. Lee 
and his children are active members of the Presbyterian 
church, in which he was faithfully served as an elder for 
many years.  The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Lee occurred on 
March 10, 1899.  She also was a member of the Presbyterian 
church.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa