William Smith Leete is actively engaged in farming and stock raising on Leete’s Island and his business affairs are wisely, carefully and systematically conducted, so that success in substantial measure is following his labors. He was born on Leete’s Island, October 22, 1867, a son of Edward Walter and Harriet (Rogers) Leete, and like most of the name in Connecticut, traces his ancestry back to Governor William Leete, one of the old-time colonial governors, who came to America with the Henry Whitfield expedition. He was born in Doddington, England, in 1612, was educated for the bar and after coming to the new world became an important factor in shaping the affairs of the Connecticut colony. He was three times married and his eldest son was John Leete, who was born in Guilford in 1639 and is said to have been the first white child born in the town. He was married in 1670 to Mary Chittenden and the fifth of their eight children was Pelatiah Leete, who was born March 26, 1681. He became a very prominent and influential stock raiser and farmer and on the 1st of July, 1705, he married Abigail Fowler, by whom he had five children. The eldest son of that family was Deacon Daniel Leete, who was born October 14, 1709, and also became a farmer and stock raiser, passing away on his farm October 1, 1772. He was married June 14, 1738, to Rhoda Stone, who died December 23, 1769, and both were laid to rest in the old cemetery  on Guilford Green. They had five children, the third son being Deacon Ambrose Leete, who was born January 19, 1748, and who on the 10th of November, 1773, married Miranda Chittenden. Their family numbered five children, including Miner Leete, who was born June 30, 1779, and spent his entire life on the farm which was his birthplace, there passing away November 7, 1826. He was married November 17, 1807, to Lucinda Norton, who was born November 18, 1780, in Guilford, and died August 28, 1848. They were the parents of five children, of whom Edward Lorenzo was born June 28, 1810, at Leete’s Island in the town of Guilford. Here for more than thirty years he engaged in teaching during the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the development and improvement of his farm. He was always prominent in public affairs and in 1854 represented his district in the state legislature, to which position he was again elected in 1865. Like his forebears, he was also a prominent and active member of the Congregational church and, like his ancestors, long held office in the church. He died May 3, 1884. He was married in North Guilford, April 29, 1833, to Sylvia Fowler and they had two children: Edward Walter; and Lucy Louisa, who became the wife of Dwight Rogers, of Cornwall, Connecticut.

     The son, Edward Walter Leete, was born at the old home place on Leete’s Island, May 28, 1834, and attended the district school and also a private school in Windsor, Connecticut, and the Normal school at New Britain. He followed farming and school teaching, becoming one of the representative and valued residents of his community and thus sustaining the honored family name. He was married October 10, 1861, to Harriet Rogers, of Cornwall, a daughter of Daniel Leete and Harriet (Pratt) Rogers. Five children were born of that marriage: Abbie, who was married on June 10, 1896, to Edward E. Griswold, of Guilford, and they have two children, Harriet Rogers and John Leete; Edward Rogers, who died December 6, 1891; William Smith; Sarah Talcott, who died October 25, 1891; and Walter, who died in infancy. The father was a prominent member of the First Congregational church of Guilford, in which he became deacon. He was also active in the Sunday school and in all lines of church work. He ever gave his political support to the republican party and for a long period was a member of the school board and also filled the offices of assessor, tax collector and justice of the peace. In 1884 he was elected a trustee of the Guilford Institute and he was a trustee of the Guilford Savings Bank and a stockholder and director of the National Bank, which he aided in organizing.

     William S. Leete, the son of E. W. Leete, acquired his education in the schools on Leete’s Island and the Guilford high school, and took up the occupation of farming and stock raising, to which he had been reared. He has ever concentrated his attention and energy upon this business, which he has widely and successfully conducted. His entire time has been given to his work and he has never ceased to make the island upon which he was born his home, and on which seven generations of his ancestors have lived.

     On the 14th of December, 1899, at Guilford, Mr. Leete was married to Miss Angeline Brewer, who was born in Guilford, a daughter of Alva Goldsmith and Alice (Palmer) Brewer, who were natives of Guilford and of Branford, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Leete have three children: Edward Brewer, William Chittenden and Lawrence Rogers.

     In his political views Mr. Leete has usually supported the republican party. He is a member of the First Congregational church and is active in its interests. He belongs to the Guilford Grange and thus keeps in touch through its proceedings with the advanced thought bearing upon modern farm methods.