(Source: Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, Boston, Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1899, pps. 74, 77.) http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/bedford/bios/biorev2.txt.

David W. Lee, proprietor of Fruit Hill Farm in Bedford County, Pa., is carrying on a substantial business as a

general farmer and milk dealer, and is known as one of the most progressive and prosperous agriculturists of

this vicinity. He was born in Bedford township, July 15, 1841, being the son of Nathan and Martha (Hunt) Lee.

He comes of distinguished Colonial stock, the emigrant ancestor from whom he is descended being, it is said,

the founder of the family from which Generals Robert E. and Fitz-Hugh Lee sprang.

Nathan Lee was a son of George Lee. He passed his entire life within the limits of Bedford County, and died

November 19, 1875. He married Martha Hunt, daughter of Thomas Hunt, and of their children the following are now

living: David W., the special subject of this sketch; Henry W., of Bedford, Pa.; Wynfield S., of Hyattsville,

Md.; George W., of Bradley, Ill.; Benjamin Franklin, of Wilkinsburg, Pa.; and John C., of Hillsboro, Md.

Thomas Hunt, the maternal grandfather, was born and reared in Dublin, Ireland. When nineteen years old he

emigrated to America, and for some years afterward resided in Bedford, Pa. Subsequently, removing with his

family to Cumberland Valley township as a pioneer, he took up and patented a large tract of land and from that

time until his death was there engaged in farming pursuits. A man of great intelligence and strong personality,

he was influential in the administration of local affairs, and while living in Bedford served several years as

Justice of the Peace.

David W. Lee was reared and educated in Bedford township, and during the larger part of his active life he has

devoted his time mainly to the cultivation of the soil. In 1867 he purchased his present fine farm of two

hundred acres, which he has since managed most skillfully and successfully, carrying on general farming and

dairying. He has built up a large milk route in Bedford, and from his dairy of Jersey cows, numbering from

thirty to thirty-five, he supplies his customers with pure milk and cream.

When the railway between Bedford and Cumberland was built, he had charge of the construction of more than two

miles of it, and when the town of Bedford decided to establish water works he was awarded the contract for the

same, and superintended the construction of the plant. A practical businessman, willing to serve the public to

the best of his ability, Mr. Lee has often been called to places of trust. He is now president of the board of

trustees of the Job Mann Fund of twenty-five thousand dollars, left by the Hon. Job Mann, the income of which

is to be used to educate poor but talented young men for the ministry. He is a Director of the Bedford County

Agricultural Society, and has served as one of the School Directors for Bedford township.

During the Civil War Mr. Lee served for two years in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania

Volunteer Infantry; and, as a member of the famous company known as Colonel Roy Stone's "Bucktails" was at the

front in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg,

and in numerous minor engagements. Fraternally, he is a member of the Major William Watson Post, G. A. R.

Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

On December 4, 1867, Mr. Lee married Miss Harriet Boor, also of Bedford County. She died May 9, 1879, leaving

five children, namely: Ella J., wife of Harry Fodders; Charles E.; Samuel E.; Nettie M.; and Ross F. He

subsequently married, February 19, 1880, Miss Elizabeth Weisel, daughter of John Weisel, late of Bedford

County. By this union he had one child, Minnie R., the mother being deceased. Mr. Lee and his children are

active members of the Presbetyrian church, in which he has faithfully served as an elder for many years. The

death of Mrs. Elizabeth Lee occurred on March 10, 1899. She was also a member of the Presbyterian church.

Bedford County, Pennsylvania Will Book Volume 5, Page 183 (1874).

John Weisel, Last Will

[note - John Weisel is the son of John Weisel and Margaret Schneider]

Be it Remembered, That I John Weisel, Bedford township being of sound

and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and considering the

uncertainty of life, do therefore make or claim, publish and declare

this to be my last Will and Testament or ? and form following that is to say:

Inprimus: I give devise and bequest to my beloved wife Rebecca my

mansion farm adjoining lands of Samuel S Diehl, Josiah Ritchy, James A.

Henderson and land of John Williamson formerly Jonathan Diehl to have

and hold during her natural lifetime or as long as she remains my widow.

Second I direct and it is my will that my farm in Napier township

adjoining land of Theodore Kinton? and others and all my personal

property be sold as soon after my death as can conveniently be done and

after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses the remainder be

equally divided between my children share and share alike that is to

Margaret Dibert one equal share. Susann Diehl one full share, Elizabeth

Weisel one full share, Sophia Weisel one full share

Page 184

and Ellen Weisel one full share. But in no case is Hester Weisel

the widow of my deceased son Henry to have any part of my estate.

I hereby authorize and empower my Executive to sell my farm in

Napier township. And as to all the real residue and remainder

of my Estate and personal or mixed of whatever nature or kind

or whereever situate at the time of my decease I do hereby

give devise and bequest to my five daughters herein before named.

And lastly I do make ? and appoint my beloved wife Rebecca Weisel to be

the Execturix of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all

former Wills by me at any time heretofore made, and d?ing these ?

only to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I

have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the Eleventh day of

September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sevety four.

John Weisel

Signed sealed published and declared by the testator above named

as and for this last Will and Testament in the presence of us who

have hereunto at his request subscribed our names in his presence

and in the presense of each other as witness hereto farm after the

word mansion on the first page was interlined before signing.

Josiah R. Ritchey

J. W. Lingenfelter

Bedford County Sep

Personally appeared before me the undersigned Register for

the probate of Wills in and for said County. Josiah R. Ritchey

and J. W. Lingenfelter subscribing witnesses to the within

instrument of writing who being duly sworn according to law declare

and say that they were personally present and saw and heard John

Weisel sign seal pronounce and declare the same as and for his

last will and testament that they signed their names as witnesses

thereto in his presence and at his request and that at this time

of so doing he the testator was of sound and disposing mind

memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.

Sworn ?scribed this 10 day of November A.D. 1874 before me.

James Cleaver, Register

Filed and proven November 10th 1874. Decedent died Nov 3 1874

at about 6 oClock and 30 minutes A.M. as pr oath of J. C. Mullin.

Filed Letters Testamentary issued to Rebecca Weisel on the 18th

day of Nov. 1874 She having been duly sworn.

James Cleaver, Register

US Federal Census 1850 Pennsylvania, Bedford County.

Bedford Township, p. 27A, ln 35-41, [House 211, 222] Aug 14, 1850

Weisel John 46 M . Farmer 1,200 Pa

Weisel Rebecca 30 F . . . Pa

Weisel Eve M. 8 F . . . Pa

Weisel Susan 6 F . . . Pa

Weisel Henry 4 M . . . Pa

Weisel Elizabeth 2 F . . . Pa

Weisel David 0/12 M . . . Pa

(Age-looks like 0/12 may have meant 10/12)