Biography of William A. Lee

Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana
Tyndall & Lesh – 1918

WILLIAM A. LEE. To the present generation of Wells County at least William A. Lee is a citizen too well known to require any introduction. He has been a resident of the county practically all his life, has been a farmer, educator, lawyer and deputy prosecutor and represents one of the old and substantial names of this section of Indiana.

He was born in Nottingham Township August 20, 1855, a son of Alexander and Susanna (Tracy) Lee. His father was born in Virginia September 5, 1824, and the mother in Perry County, Ohio, in 1828. Alexander Lee settled in Wells County at an early day, and acquired a substantial property as a farmer and was also honored with the office of county commissioner and for many years was a leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Poneto. He was Sunday School superintendent there for over sixteen years. His death occurred in 1907 and his wife passed away in 1897. They had ten children, six of whom are still living.

William A. Lee spent his boyhood days on a farm, got his education in district schools, and attended the County Normal at Bluffton. When only seventeen he was granted his first license as a teacher, and he taught school in this county until 1882. While teaching he took up the study of law, and for a number of years he also filled the office of justice of the peace. He has been in active practice since 1898, and has filled the office of deputy prosecuting attorney since the election of Aaron Waltz to the office of chief prosecutor. Mr. Lee also owns 100 acres of land constituting a good farm, and has many interests that identify him with the county of his nativity.

On December 29, 1880, he married Miss Emma R. McFarren, who was born in Wells County, youngest sister of the prominent Bluffton business man, George E. McFarren. Mr. And Mrs. Lee has three children. Carl A., who acquired a good education in the common schools and in a commercial college, was a teacher but is now a practical farmer. He married Cecile Kiser. Grace S. was a teacher for a number of years and is now the wife of Levi J. Nutter. Ralph C. married Grace Fleming and lives in Nottingham Township. Mr. William A. Lee is an active democrat and has always been affiliated with that party in his political efforts.