Lee, William – Businessman looked after his community

William Lee (1855-1921)

THE son of John Lee, who had started John Lee & Son (Grantham) Ltd in 1845, William Lee was a chip off the entrepreneurial block.

Under him, the firm grew extensively, not only in Grantham, but Stamford and a fur-cutting factory at Easton-on-the Hill.  Much of the growth was in the export of fur and skins.

Born in Castlegate, apart from a few years in London, he lived in the town most of his life. He had 10 children for whom he chose names as varied as Rothwell, Carlton and Hedsworth.

He became a town councillor in 1903, winning a by-election, and was elected mayor in 1906.

He was variously Overseer for the Poor in New Somerby, a commissioner for taxes, a King’s School governor and chief magistrate.

Mr Lee was generous to the townsfolk, donating seats on St Peter’s Hill green and providing a dinner for 400 poor people in the exchange Hall in his mayoral year.

He died at the home he had built for his family, Dudley House, Dudley Road.