Lee, Adrian

Adrian Lee whose demise occurred in Utica New York on the 25th of June, 1901, was long and successfully engaged in business here as a wholesale meat merchant. His birth occurred in Utica New York in September, 1843, his parents being Erastus and Eliza(Simpson) Lee. The father, who came to this city from Connecticut first followed farming, but later became a horse dealer. He was also the proprietor of the old Fifth Ward house. In young manhood he had wedded Miss Eliza Simpson a member of the early families of Frankford hill.
When Adrian Lee was a small boy his parents removed to a farm on Frankford Hill where he spent his early life. Returning to Utica, he learned the butcher"s trade and later conducted a market at John and Bleecker streets. Subsequently he disposed of his retail establishment and embarked in the wholesale trade exclusively. This was at a time when most dealers did their own slaughtering and our subjects business soon assumed extensive proportions. During the last fifteen years of his connection with the meat business he handled western beef exclusively. For ten years he was the Utica representative of Nelson Morris and Company, and later represented the Cudahy Packing company. One year prior to his death he made another change, his establishment on Main Street becoming known as Omaha packing Company, while that on Genesse Street was known As the Mohawk Valley Packing Company. His sons Louis, Alfred, Ambrose and Edward, were associated with him in the conduct of business. Ambrose is now interested in the horse business.
Mr. Lee had a creditable military record. In August 1862, he enlisted as a private of the One Hundredth and Fifty-second New York Volunteer Infantry and was mustered in on the 13th of the following month for three years' service, joining Company K. After participating is a number of hotly contested engagements and winning the stripes of second lieutenant he was taken prisoner while in action near Petersburg, on the 22nd of June, 1864 and was confined in the following rebel prison; Libby, June 24, to June 29; prisoners' stockade at Macon, Georgia, July 9 to August 1st; prisoners' stockade at Savannah, Georgia, August 2 to September 13; Charleston jail yard, September 13 to October 6; asylum prison yard at Columbia, South Carolina, October 6, 1864, to February 10, 1865; Charlotte, North Carolina, February 11 to February 21st; prisoners' stockade at Raleigh, North Carolina, February 22 to February 27. He was then paroled, passing through the lines near Wilmington, North Carolina on the 1st of March. On the 26th of April he was exchanged and on the 7th of May, 1865, reported for duty at regimental headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. After the cessation of hostilities he was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant on the 13th of July, 1865, at Munson Hill.
On the 24th of December, 1867, Mr. was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Brace, a daughter of Benjamin and Helen (Miller) Brace, both of whom were representatives of early families of Oneida County. Benjamin Brace resided on what was known as Sleighton's bush road and followed farming and carpentering.
In politics Mr. lee was a stalwart democrat. He served as a member of the board of supervisors for three terms and acted as one of the charity commissioners of Utica for two terms. In 1894 he was the candidate of his party, for sheriff against Van R. Weaver, making a very commendable showing at the polls. He was a valued member of Bacon Post, No. 53, G.A.R. thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He was a genial, jovial disposition and drove about the city with horse and carriage of his business duties. As the circle of his friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances, his death was the occasion of deep and sincere regret throughout Utica.

NEW YORK - From 1700 to the Present Time - ILLUSTRATED - VOLUME II - Chicago - The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1912 (pages 146-149), The HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY