Lee, Alfred A.
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 18, credited to Stamford, VT Unit(s): 8th VT INF Service: enl 12/16/63, m/i 12/16/63, Pvt, Co. H, 8th VT INF, pr CPL 6/2/65, m/o 6/28/65 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 03/20/1845, Stamford, VT Death: 06/06/1935 Burial: Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone photographer: Tom Boudreau Findagrave Memorial #: 46180060 MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, 1/2/1892, MA Portrait?: Unknown College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: Not Found (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: None DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice  Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. |
Alfred A. Lee
A. A. Lee Dies At 90 Yrs.
Only Two G.A.R. Men Left
Retired Business Man and Deacon of Baptist Church for 30 Years Passes Away at Winter Home in Orlando, Florida - Native of Stamford, Vt. - Had Successfully Conducted General Store in Briggsville, and Music Store, Restaurant and Grocery Store in North Adams.
Alfred A. Lee, 90, of 5 Wesleyan street, one of three surviving members of C.D. Sanford post Grand Army of the Republic, a retired business man and a deacon of the First Baptist church died this morning about 2 o'clock at his winter home in Orlando, Florida from complications which had confined him to his home there since the first of the year. He went to Florida in October as had been his custom for the past five years, accompanied by his daughter Miss Ethel Lee, who was with him when he died. At the time he departed for the south he appeared to be in normal health and his family and friends here were surprised to learn of his serious illness which developed soon after the start of the new year. He appeared to be recovering a short time ago, but met with a setback and had failed rapidly until the end came this morning.
This year for the first time, Mr. Lee was unable to participate in the annual Memorial day services in this city. Last year he rode in an automobile in the parade. His passing leaves but two local veterans of the Civil War, John Mitchell and George J. Montgomery. Mr. Mitchell, commander of the Sanford post, was the only veteran able to take part in the services this past Memorial day.
A native of Stamford, Vt., Mr. Lee was the son of Art and Lavina Lee, direct descendants of the early settlers of that region. At the age of 16, soon after the Civil War broke out, he went to Bennington, Vt., and enlisted with 8th Vermont infantry. This unit was sent to New Orleans, La., where it remained during the duration of the war. Although it did not engage in active battle it played an important part in keeping order in that troublesome area and also in the guarding of Confederate prisoners.
After the war had ended, the unit returned to Burlington, Vt., where the members were discharged and Mr. Lee returned to work on his father's farm in Stamford. His desire to enter the business world could not be fulfilled by working on the farm and within a short time after his return he came to North Adams and started on his business career as a clerk in the J. W. Spear store. A few years later, he went to Briggsville and erected the building and established what is now Ross Brothers store. Under Mr. Lee's management the store became one of the best known and most successful general stores in this section. After selling his business at Briggsville, he returned to North Adams and for a time conducted a music store on Main street. Among his clerks in this establishment was judge C. T. Phelps of the local District court when he was a very young man. He later conducted a restaurant in the Adams block on Main street.
About 45 years ago, Mr. Lee opened a grocery store at 250 Eagle street, which is now owned and conducted by his son, Clarence P. Lee to whom he sold it on Aug. 25, 1919. Mr. Lee was a keen business man and his integrity was unquestioned. His customers placed the utmost confidence in him and he endeavored to merit this trust in every way. The Lee store is among the best known of the rapidly diminishing type of "neighborhood" stores and many of the customers today began trading at the store soon after Mr. Lee opened it.Mr. Lee became a member of C. D. Sanford post soon after it was established her and he devoted considerable time and effort to the interests of the organization. He had served as commander at various times and likewise had held every office in the post, not only in recent years when the small number of members made it necessary to distribute the various offices accordingly, but during the days when it had a large membership. He found much happiness in the association of his comrades and always looked forward with pleasure to participation in the Memorial day exercises. He was deeply grieved this year when illness made it necessary for him to remain in Florida.
Mr. Lee had been a member of the Baptist church from the time he came to this city and for the past 30 years had served the church as a deacon. He was also a member of the Baraca class of the church Sunday school and was interested in its activities.
On the occasion of his 90th birthday on March 20th, Rev. Dr. Daniel H. Clare, pastor of the church sent him a special message of greeting on behalf of the church and many members of the church sent him their own personal greetings and best wishes for a speedy recovery from his illness. These messages were deeply appreciated by Mr. Lee.
Although he never took any active part in the city government, Mr. Lee always showed an keen interest in civic affairs and was always willing to do whatever he could to promote the interests of North Adams.
His survivors are his daughter Miss Ethel Lee and his son, Clarence F. Lee, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will not be made until further word is heard from his daughter but it is expected that the body will be brought to this city for burial as soon as possible.
Source: North Adams Transcript, June 6, 1935; contributed by Tom Boudreau