My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE LEE. The name of Lee has ever been prominent on the pages of American history — as pioneer, soldier and patriot. Our subject, George Lee, has the honor and pleasure of tracing back his lineage to this remarkable and historic family. He is the son of James and Polly (Gates) Lee, and was born November 9, 1824, in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, New York. His grandfather, Benjamin Lee, was a native of Rhode Island, whither his ancestors had emigrated from England before the march of civilization had reached our shores. From Rhode Island he changed his residence to Rensselaer county, New York, and thence to Chautauqua county, March 20, 1811, where he located in the town of Ellicott at a point near the line between the towns of Ellicott and Ellery. Here he purchased a tract of land containing two hundred and ninety-seven acres, from the Holland Land Company, upon which he resided until his death. He devoted his life to clearing and improving his land, and was also a hunter of considerable note, since in those days the forests and rivers were more productive than the farms. He married Catherine Simmons and reared a family of seven children, four boys and three girls. He was a supporter of the Whig party. James Lee (father of subject) was born in Rensselaer county, New York, June 6, 1796, and came with his father to Chautauqua county, where he has since lived and died. He was a pioneer farmer, and felt all the experiences and endured all the privations of pioneer life, so that the heritage of the old homestead, to which his children succeeded, was one fraught with memorable incidents and significant of toil and self-sacrifice. He cast his vote with the Whig party during its existence, but upon the inception of the Republican party, he at once affiliated with it. He was radical in his political views, and firmly believed in being more than a merely nominal partisan. At one time he held the office of assessor. He also had the distinction of having assisted in the erection of the first building in the city of Jamestown. His brothers served in the war of 1812. His wife, who was a daughter of Zephaniah Gates, a native of Connecticut, but by adoption a citizen of Chautauqua county, New York, bore him three children: Louisa, now dead; Adaline, also dead; and George (subject).

George Lee married Julia Hollenbeck, a daughter of Edward Hollenbeck, originally of Madison county, New York, but more recently of Chautauqua county, same State; where he has since died. Their union resulted in the birth of three children: Mary (now dead), married to Charles M. Bentley, a farmer of the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county; Eva A. (also dead), married to Mark A. Griffith, who lives near subject; and Frank O., married to Carrie Benney. Frank O. now resides near Waynesville, Missouri, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has one child, Marguerite.

George Lee was educated in the common schools, began life as a farmer, and has since pursued that business in connection with milling. His farm and mill are located in the town of Ellery near Lake Chautauqua. The mill was built by John, Seth and Samuel Griffiths about 1835. Mr. Lee is an adherent of the Republican party and, as such, has held the position of highway commissioner for a number of years. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F.