COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. pages 230& 231
William Morgan Lee, one of the prominent attorneys of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess county, is a member of a family which has long held a leading position in the locality.
Darius Lee, his father, was born July 28, 1794, in East Fishkill, and in early manhood moved to Poughkeepsie, where he became identified with several important business enterprises, a general store, a carriage factory, and a hotel at Arlington. He was one of the founders of Heading M. E. Church, was for many years a class leader and local preacher, and he held for a long time the office of justice of the peace for the town of Poughkeepsie. He married for his second wife Naomi Odell, who was born July 28, 1812, a native of Putnam county, and they had seven children, of whom our subject is the eldest; the others were: Kate, a successful teacher in the public schools of Poughkeepsie; Frank K. a physician; Edward, who resides at Mr. Vernon, S. Dak.; David (deceased); Sarah; and Henry G. (deceased). The father died in 1858, and the mother on February 26, 1883.
William Morgan Lee was born May 18, 1838, in Poughkeepsie. His literary and scientific studies were pursued in the public schools of that city, and with private tutors. When twenty years old he taught a school at Pleasant Valley and in the same year he began the study of law in the office of Wilbur & Van Cleef, with whom he remained one year. He then taught for a few months at Schultzville, and in 1862 entered the office of the provost marshall at Poughkeepsie, where he was employed for two years and a half. Resuming his legal studies in the office of Judge Charles Wheaton, he prepared for his examination, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. For some time he practiced with Judge Wheaton, and late with Judge Allard Anthony. He is an able and influential worker in the Republican party, and in 1869 was appointed city chamberlain, serving five years; in 1873 he was elected supervisor of the Sixth ward, and city attorney in 1877, which latter incumbency he held for nine years/ In 1883 he was nominated for surrogate on the Republican ticket against H. D. Hulcut, but like the other candidates of his party at that election, he was defeated. From 1889 to 1893 he was deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the Fourteenth District. His well-proven abilities have given him a high standing in business circles, and from 1893 to February, 1895, he was auditor and general passenger agent for the P. 7 E. R. R. Through all the varied positions he has carried on his regular professional work, and enjoys an extensive and profitable practice.
On June 23, 1870, in Poughkeepsie, Mr. Lee was married to Miss Mary Worrall, a native of Pittsburg, and the daughter of John Worrall. Her grandfather, William Worrall, was an early settle in Poughkeepsie, and at one time owned most of the land upon which the eastern part of the city now stands, Two children were born of this union: Maud and Frederick William. Mr. Lee and his wife are leading members of the Episcopal Church, and he has been a vestryman for thirteen years, clerk of the vestry for four years, and is also the treasurer of the Archdeaconry of Dutchess county.
He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and he was received into Poughkeepsie Lodge in March, 1869; Poughkeepsie Chapter No. 172, Royal Arch Masons in September 1860; Poughkeepsie Commandery, Knights Templar, in October, 1870; and was elected High Priest of the Chapter in December, 1872, and re-elected four successive terms. In May, 1876, he was chosen Commander of Poughkeepsie Commandery, and held the office six years. He was a charter member and first Master of Triune Lodge No.782, organized in 1879, and became a member of King Solomon Council, Royal and Select Masters, in 1880, serving as Master of the Council for two years. In 1883 he served on the staff of J. Edward Simmons, and in 1884 with William Brodie as Deputy Grand Master. In 1887 he was Grand Principal Sojourner of the State, and he has been Grand Steward in the Grand Council, and is now the Representative of the State of Wisconsin near the Grand Council of the State of New York. In 1889 he became a member of Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine in New York City.