ARTHUR D. LEE
ARTHUR D. LEE is one of the men of Westmoreland who has made his own way successfully in a material sense, but has been active and influential in the general advancement of his town’s best interests. When a young man he learned the carpenter’s trade, serving his apprenticeship with R. E. Lee, at that time one of the leading contractors and builders of Rome, N. Y. This service continued through a period of three years, at the end of which time the subject of this sketch returned to his native place where he has continued more or less actively in building and carpenter work since that time. He was born in Bartlett, Oneida county, January 25, 1845, and received his early education at the common school, supplementing this with a course at the Whitestown Seminary. The Lees are among the oldest and most conspicuous residents in Westmoreland. Nathan Lee, grandfather of Arthur D., came from Connecticut in 1806 and settled in the town and engaged in farming till his death, which occurred in 1845. The early records of the
town show that he was one of the most important factors in the permanent
advancement of the community.
Isaac B. Lee, his son, born in 1819, is the father of Arthur D. Lee, and has also been identified with the agricultural industry of Westmoreland. He now owns the old homestead which Nathan Lee bought at the time of his coming here in 1806. He married Harriet Lay, of Rome, who died in 1885. They had three sons, of whom Arthur D. is the oldest. The others are Newell D., now living in Westmoreland, and Damon A., a resident of Alabama.
Rowland Lay, grandfather of these three named and father of their mother, was one of the hotel men of note in the early history of the county. He, during the period of the Erie Canal construction, kept a hotel near Stanwix, where from time to time, he entertained many men of high social and official standing. He also at one time owned all of the land upon which the city of Saratoga is now situated. They have all been people of upright character, industry and successful financers.
Arthur D. Lee has always been an ardent Republican who has devoted a considerable time to the party’s interest in the town and county. This service has been recognized and appreciated by the citizens, for he has been honored with several important political trusts. He was for several years made a member of the county committee, and for two years represented his town in the Board of Supervisors. While there Mr. Lee was one of the most zealous members in watching and caring for the interest of his constituents.
In 1895 he was made chairman of the judiciary committee, and was on the committee on footing the assessment roll, and on that of the county buildings, State loans, and ratio and apportionment, besides that of coroners and physicians.
Mr. Lee married Nettie C., daughter of Samuel A. and Jane (Richardson) Isbell of Westmoreland. Mr. Isbell was for many years extensively engaged in contracting in the town of Westmoreland and surrounding towns. He built a saw mill at Bartlett, and carried on a large lumber trade, using a good part of the manufactured product in the construction of work under his own supervision. During the years he was also directing a part of his energies to farming, with the success which always follows intelligent, industrious effort. He accumulated a large estate, yet devoted a considerable amount to charities, and aids to deserving people. They had three daughters, of whom Mrs. Lee was the second. The others were Hattie P., who died at the age of nineteen, and Jessie L, who married Mr. Joseph Burrell of Westmoreland. Mr. Isbell died in 1893 and his wife in 1885. In the matter of societies Mr. Lee has given his whole interest to the Masonic fraternity, in which order he is active and influential.
Mr. Lee has one son, Warren Isbell Lee, who is a student at Hamilton College.
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