Lee Sam Fong was born in China in 1845. He came to Helena in 1879 where he evolved into a successful businessman, running a restauraunt and owning real estate. Because of the strict rules placed up Chinese Americans during the late 19th century. Mr. Fong was forced to petition for his stay in the US. He was a well respected member of the communnity and was able to gain a letter of support with signatures from prominent Helena residents including E.W. Toole, William Wallace, William H DeWitt, T.C. Fuller, and Thomas K Toole. He was also able to gather a letter of support from the Bishop of Montana in an effort to bring his nephew to the U.S.

He married Jenny Lee (Yee Sha) and had four daughters: Ruby, Jennie, Lilly, Mamie. Ruby and Jennie became stenographers, Lilly a photographer, and Mamie a bookkeeper. They were the first Chinese to vote in Montana. Lee Sam Fong passed away on September 30, 1908 in Helena.