Charles Lee

Early years and background Charles Alfred Lee was born in Parramatta, New South Wales in 1842, the son of Benjamin Lee, a Waterloo veteran, publican and landowner, and Lucy Ann Poulton, who had emigrated to New South Wales in 1829. where he purchased Maryland Stores. Lee eventually rose to hold various prominent positions within Tenterfield society, being appointed a Postmaster in 1872 and as the district Coroner from 1873 to 1876. Lee entered local politics when he was elected as an Alderman on the first Tenterfield Municipal Council in 1872–1876 and was Mayor from September 1875, to February 1876. Settling in his large pastoral property, 'Claremont', Lee became President of the Prince Albert Memorial Hospital Board, the Tenterfield Railway League, and the School of Arts.

Political career Retiring from his business, Lee was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Tenterfield uncontested on 20 November 1884, when the previous member, Henry Parkes, resigned. Joining the Free Trade Party in 1887, Lee aligned himself with rural issues and rights of landowners, eventually joining the Farmers' and Settlers' Association of New South Wales. Australian Town and Country reported: "In his electorate he has been always associated with the progress of local institutions. He is a not frequent speaker in Parliament; but when he does speak, he is brief, effective and to the point." and Sergeant Lionel Kenneth Lee (1882–1919) from Typhus while in Egypt. The Tenterfield Star's obituary for Lee said his death brought to an end a "long and eventful chapter in the history of Tenterfield and northern NSW."