| Notes |
- The following was taken from: Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago pp. 523-524.
W.A. Lee. Among the townships of Knox County, Sparta can certainly boast of her quota of energetic, well-to-do farmers. Many of those who have fine farms in Sparta Township came here poor in pocket, but with the firm determination of establishing permanent homes for themselves and families, and having faith in the development of the country, located and for years have labored to accomplish their desire, and have succeeded. Among this number is the gentleman whose name heads this notice, who is at present residing on his fine farm on section 5, in the township named. Mr. Lee was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1822, his father being Amos and his mother Mary (Willard) Lee, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively. The calling of his father was that of a farmer, and the children of the parental household were ten in number, seven of whom are living at this writing -- Elias W., Myron H., William A., George C, Benjamin F. and Thaddeus C. Those deceased are Charles H., Harriet H. and Hannah A. Both heads of the house-hold died in New York State, the mother in 1877 and the father in 1879. W. A. Lee lived with his parents until he was 25 years of age, having in the meantime received a rudimentary education at the common schools, which was supplemented by an academical course. After leaving school he clerked for his brother, and worked on a farm until 1846. It was during this year that he made up his mind to go West and grow up with the country, and following up his determination he came to Galesburg and made settlement. On arrival there he engaged in buying stock, and a year later, in 1847, embarked in the brick business, and was occupied for a year. In 1848 he erected the first meat-market in the present active, thriving city of Galesburg, and conducted the same with signal success until 1853. Selling out his market, he purchased a farm of 80 acres located three miles north of Galesburg, and engaged in that most independent of callings, farming. Subsequently he added another 80 to his original purchase and lived on his land, actively engaged in its cultivation, until 1857. He then sold his real estate and purchased a farm in Sparta Township, of 160 acres, the same being located on section 6, and to which he added an additional 80 on section 5, in the same township, by a subsequent purchase. In 1865 he purchased a store in Wataga, and a block of ground known as the Watkins property. Since he moved to Sparta Township he has engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of the Poland-China swine. Mr. Lee has been twice married, first in 1848, to Miss Laura S. Booth, the accomplished daughter, by adoption, of Noah W. Stanley, of New Britain, Conn. She was only a wife for two short years, her demise occurring Sept. 6, 1850, at Galesburg, where she lies buried. The second matrimonial alliance of our subject was solemnized Aug. 23, 1853, on which occasion the destiny of Miss Betsey Knowles and that of our subject were united. She was the daughter of Judge Paul Knowles, of West Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., and of her union with Mr. Lee two children, George K. and William A., were born. The good wife and kind mother departed this life in 1873. George K., her eldest son, married Miss Kate Bowman, a native of this State, in 1880, and by her has one child, a daughter, Maude. William A. Lee selected as his companion in life Miss Jannie, the intelligent and accomplished daughter of William Patterson, of Sparta Township. Their marriage took place in 1880, and they also have two children to brighten their household - Freddie P. and Betsey K. Mr. W. A. Lee is a self-made man in every sense the word implies. He started in this life with nothing, and what he has he has made himself. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and as a social gentleman and a prominent citizen he is the peer of any.
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Histories of the Martin, Wilson, Bloom, & Ahola Families
1822 - 