My Genealogy Hound

HUGH LEE (deceased) was born in Washington county, Pa., Nov. 14, 1816, a son of Hugh Lee, Sr., and died May 5, 1885. Hugh Lee, Sr., came to Washington county, Pa., from Ireland about 1798, and purchased two hundred acres of land, then known as “Holmes’ Victory,” named in honor of James Holmes, who settled it in 1774. Hugh, Sr., married in 1804, and became the father of eleven children, three of whom grew to maturity. Hugh, Jr., came in 1840 to Allegheny county, and engaged in the wool trade, at which he was successful. He afterward embarked in the oil and coal business, but over-confidence in trusted friends caused him to lose considerable money. He married, Feb. 3, 1840, Phoebe Genevieve Averill, daughter of Thomas and Mary Averill, of New York. One son, William H., born in 1860, blessed their union; he was educated at the Western University of Pennsylvania, and was married in 1887 to Martha J. Davis, daughter of David and Fannie Davis. They have one child, Phoebe Genevieve.

The subject of this sketch removed to Mansfield in 1854, and from that time until his death resided here. He joined the Second Presbyterian Church of Allegheny City, and, on removing to Mansfield, connected himself with the newly organized Presbyterian Church here, of which he was elected ruling elder in 1855. On Aug. 8, 1857, he was appointed aid-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Pollock, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1856 he purchased a ranch in Texas, and was one of the first to import fine wool sheep into that state. When the rebellion broke out, the confederacy confiscated the property and all on it, about four thousand head of sheep and one hundred head of horses and cattle. Mr. Lee was a man of great force of character, wise in counsel, intense in purpose, and a strong supporter of his church in its days of greatest need. One of the oldest residents of the community, widely known and influential, his death was deeply regretted. His widow and son survive him.