Spouse: Richard W. Menefee. Rebecca Lessly and Richard W. Menefee were married in March 1845 in Randolph Co., MO. Children were: Mary E. Menefee, Ann Rebecca Menefee, Elizabeth Menefee, Abigail Menefee.

Spouse: Otis George Prussel.

Spouse: Ralph McLellan Whitman.

Is buried next to his parents. No gravemarker is present to mark the location of his grave. Parents: Paul C. Lessly and Martha Louise Guyton.

Spouse: Helen Faye Crumm. Children were: Shirley Jo Lessly, Paul Wayne Lessly.

Spouse: Freida Christina Fehrle. Freida Christina Fehrle and Robert Thomas Lessly were married on 28 May 1911 in Stella, OK. Children were: Oswald Elbert Lessly, Cyrus Eugene Lessly, Rhoda Kathrina Rholine Lessly.

Spouse: Betty Jean Williams. Children were: Sheryl Renee Lessly, Lynna Joy Lessly, Roger Terry Lessly, Bryan Dean Lessly, Joanie Rholine Lessly.

Individual: Lessly, Roger
Birth date: Sep 22, 1922
Death date: May 1963
Social Security #: 447-32-8267
State of issue: OK Parents: Paul Roger Lessly and Edna Catherine Bowles.

Spouse: Rodena Edna Gray. Children were: Kenneth Wayne Lessly, Brenda Lou Lessly.

Individual: Lessly, Roy
Birth date: Sep 5, 1890
Death date: Aug 1971
Social Security #: 446-12-3462
Last residence: OK 73069
State of issue: OK Parents: Charles Augustus Lessly and Rhoda Charlotte Symcox.

Spouse: Linnie Henson. Linnie Henson and Roy Lessly were married on 12 July 1923 in Oklahoma, United States. Children were: Betty Lou Lessly, Jack Charles Lessly, Paul Albert Lessly, Robert Eugene Lessly, Anna Sue Lessly.

Friday, 6 June 1924, Vol 38 No 7--Born, on the 3rd, to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lessly a son.
Parents: George Leroy Lessly and Elizabeth Ratherford.

Spouse: Doris Adcock. Children were: Phyllis Jean Lessly.

Spouse: Sharyn Lee Warren.

Spouse: Diane M. Kovalik.

Spouse: John Richard White. Sarah Kathryn Lessly and John Richard White were married on 27 August 1913. Children were: Johnnie Kathryn White, Mary Ann White, David Richard White, Frances Vineta White, Perry Winston White.

Spouse: Ulys Edward Elliott , Sr. Children were: Nita Elliott, Ulys Edward Elliott , Jr, Mark Wayne Elliott, Robert William Elliott.

the following is taken from the notes of Stiles Lessly - march 1, 1970

Stiles Lessly was married to L. Mabel Hailey on Sept 24, 1928. They were married in Chicago. On Sept 16, 1929 their son James Alan was born. On March 5, 1933, Stiles was ordained as a Congregational Minister at Osage, Iowa, where he had become Pastor in January 1933. Their daughter Marilyn Jeanne was born on April 9, 1935. The family lived in Osage until September 1945 when Stiles was called to DeKalb, Ill., as Pastor of the First Congregational Church. They were there14 years and then went to Chicago where Stiles was Pastor of Thomas Memorial Congregatonal Church for ten years. He retired in July 1969. On August 6, 1957 James Alan was married to Geraldine Ann Irolla of Forest Hills, NY. They have three sons, Russell, Gregg, and Douglas. Marilyn Jeanne was married to Charles R. Brace on July 1, 1961 in New York City. They have two daughters, Christine and Carole, and one son Daniel Edward, and live near Camden, NJ.

Note - these writings were recorded before the birth of Stiles Lessly's last grandchild Jeffrey Brace in 1972.
[Brøderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with L, Date of Import: May 12, 1996, Internal Ref. #1.111.3.125913.118]

Individual: Lessly, Stiles
Birth date: Oct 21, 1901
Death date: Sep 1980
Social Security #: 342-32-2945
Last residence: MO 63033
State of issue: IL

Stiles Lessly went to William Jewel College about 1922. He may have graduated from Higbee High School about 1919. He worked for a few years to save up money to go to college. While there he did many odd jobs like work in a print shop (maybe for the College paper, though it may have been for one of the 2 Liberty papers; he knew the people working at both those locations) and he milked the cows of the college herd and stoked the furnace for the president of the college. Also, he probably went to the Univ. of Chicago around 1926. His son Jim remembers him saying that he was on a train, going back to Missouri in 1927, when the conductor announced that Lindbergh had crossed the Atlantic.

Friday, 17 Apr 1914--We printed neat cards this week for the graduating class of the Old Higbee School. Commencement exercises will be held on the 24th at 1:30 p.m. The class contains eight, as follows: Harley Raymond Chesser, Cromer Eugene Griffith, Lena Irvin Hudson, Anna Maude Lessly, Stiles Lessly, Raymond Sigsbee Shaefer and John Edwards Smith. Mrs. Walton Burton is the teacher.

Friday, 6 Jan 1922, Vol 35, No 38--Stiles Lessly, who is attending William Jewell College at Liberty, spent the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. E. Lessly.
Parents: James Elgin Lessly and Matilda Gertrude Stiles.

Spouse: L. Mabel Hailey. L. Mabel Hailey and Rev Stiles Lessly were married on 24 September 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Thursday, 27 Sep 1928, Vol 42. No. 21, Page 1, Col. 3--LESSLY-HAILEY--Mr. Stiles Lessly and Miss Lola Mabel Hailey were united in marriage Monday, September 24, at 4:30 p.m. in Chicago, Ill.

The wedding occurred in the Thorndike Hilton Memorial Chapel and the service was performed by the Rev. Norris L. Tibbetts, pastor of the Hyde Park Baptist Church of Chicago.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Hailey of near Sedalia, Mo., and until recently was a teacher in the Central Missouri State Teachers College, Warrensburg, Mo.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Lessly of this place, and is one of our most reliable and capable young men, and has been a student in the University of Chicago for some time.

Mr. and Mrs. Lessly will make their home in Chicago near the University.

The NEWS joins other friends in hearty congratulations and best wishes.

Children were: James Alan Lessly, Marilyn Jeanne Lessly.

William Augustus Lessly first married Emma Ward, they had one son Claude. Emma died a few years after, he married a second time and this wife also lived a short while, then he married Bessie Pyle and they had four children: Lucy Bennett, Edna, and Ben. One died in infancy.

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the following is taken from "Old Families of Randolph County, Missouri"

"Emma was the oldest girl, and she and sister Dora Lee had a double wedding. Emma married Gus Leslie and Dora Lee married Wiley Dickerson Marshall on Christmas day, 1895. Emma took Summer Sickness the following summer, and died."

"My sister Emma and I were married in a double ring ceremony. Emma's beau Gus Lessley was always on time or early. Those day our beaus usually arrived about 2:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m., and left about 10:00 p.m. We never had supper for them, but we had cake and ice cream in the summer and cake or pie in the winter time and apples always in the winter. - However, on our Wedding Day, I looked out the window and saw a two-horse buggy drive in the barn lot. It was about 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, and Mother began teasing sister Emma about Gus being so early; however, I learned is was Wiley. Gus got there about 4:00 o'clock. We were not to be married until 5:30 p.m. But the roads were knee-deep in mud, and several people came in four-horse wagons. Many came on horseback. We had supper after the ceremony. I shall never forget the bustle and stir it caused to get supper ready for so many guests....We stayed at our house all night and spent the second day at Gus Lessley's parent's home; they lived about seven miles from us."

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In the 1880 census for Randolph County, MO, William Augustus appears as a child in his father's household. His age is listed 4 and his birthplace as Missouri. Both parents are listed as having been born in Missouri.

William Augustus appears in the 1900 census for Randolph Co., MO as a member of his father-in-law's household (Edward Ward, pages 132-10A and 132-10B). His birthdate is listed as July 1875 and his age is listed as 24. His marital status is listed as widowed (his wife Annie Mae having recently died). His place of birth is listed as Missouri. Both parents are listed as having been born in Missouri. His occupation is listed as furniture dealer.

In the 1910 census for Randolph County, MO, William Augustus appears in his father's household. His age is listed as 35 and his birthplace as Missouri. Both parents are listed as having been born in Missouri. His occupation is too difficult to make out clearly. The census was taken on 22 April 1910. This would have been about one month before William Augustus' death. Two of William Augustus' children are also present, Claude and Lucy. It is unknown where William Augustus' wife and other children are.

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The notes of Stiles Lessly appear to be not quite accurate concerning the first two wives of William Augustus. Information from Chris Ann Lessly suggests that William Augustus first married Emma Bradley who died a few months later. He again married to Anna Mae Ward and they had a son Claude. Anna died about two months after Claude was born.

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This child may or may not belong to this father. From "The Higbee News" dated 29 Apr 1904--Born, on the 28th, to Gus Lessley and wife, a daughter.

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From "the Higbee News" dated 6 Dec 1907--The youngest child of Gus Lessly and wife has whooping cough and
pneumonia and is not expected to live.

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From "the Higbee News" dated 13 Dec 1907--OBITUARY--On Saturday morning, Dec 7, 1907, the dark death angel hovered over and plucked from their hearts and home the darling baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Lessly, aged twenty-one months and twenty-one days. That dread disease among children, whooping cough, with penumonia added, was more than the little sufferer's strength could stand, though the fight lasted through several days. Funeral services were held at the home by Revs. Robson and Houck, and interment was made in the city cemetery. (poem follows)

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From "The Higbee News' dated 13 May 1910--W. A. LESSLEY DEAD--William Augustus Lessley, whose serious illness was noted in last week's NEWS, died at the home of his father in Higbee at 2 o'clock Monday morning, May 9, 1910, after a brief illness of Bright's disease and liver trouble. He was born on a farm near Higbee on july 1, 1875, and was therefore in his 35th year. Several years ago he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with John F. Smith and was engaged in that business with Clarence Feland, under the firm name of Lessley & Feland, at the time of his death.

The funeral was held from the residence at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, the people turning out en masse through respect and sympathy for the bereaved family. The procession to the cemetery was an exceedingly large one, and when that place was reached a crowd almost as large was found waiting. After a few words and a prayer by Rev. E. Y. Keiter the body was lowered to its long home. Besides a wife and four children, the deceased is survived by his father, three brothers and two sisters, all of whom have the warmest sympathy of the entire community.

Parents: George Washington Lessly and Annie Elizabeth Pattrick.

Spouse: Emma Edna Bradley. Emma Edna Bradley and William Augustus Lessly were married on 25 December 1895 in farm of Dudley Terry Bradley, Randolph County, MO.³⁰⁶ 27 Dec 1895--Married, on the 25th, at the residence of the bride's parents, Dudley Bradley and wife, Wiley Marshall and Miss Dora Bradley and W. A. Lessley and Miss Emma Bradley.

Spouse: Anna Mae Ward. Anna Mae Ward and William Augustus Lessly were married on 7 July 1898 in Randolph Co., MO. 8 July 1898--Married, on July 7, 1898, at the residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ward, Mr. Gus Lessley and Miss Annie Ward, Rev. Maupin of Howard county, officiating. The News extends good wishes

Children were: Claude Kimbrough Lessly.

Spouse: Bessie Pyle. Bessie Pyle and William Augustus Lessly were married on 3 January 1901 in Moberly, Randolph Co., MO. 4 Jan 1901--Mr. W. A. Lessly, son of G. W. Lessly, and Miss Bessie Pyle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Pyle, of near town, drove to Moberly Thursday and were married at the Methodist parsonage in that city by R. V. Cressap, pastor of the church there. They were given a reception at the home of the bride Thursday evening. To this most worthy young couple the News extends congratulations and best wishes.
Children were: Edna Lessly, Lucy Bennett Lessly, Moss Lessly, Ben Franklin Lessly.

Spouse: Sara Catherine Baggett. Children were: Matthew William Lessly, Travis William Lessly.

Individual: Gibbs, Winnie
Birth date: Feb 20, 1903
Death date: Feb 1974
Social Security #: 442-40-2677
Last residence: OK 73069
State of issue: OK

Notes from Richard Ryan
Died of toxic reaction to medication, Meluril, an anti-depressent.
Had skin cancer on nose removed, caused by living on a farm during her life and being in the sun. Many of her bros/sisters also had skin cancers. Loved to sew. Loved to entertain, setting up for bridge parties. Wonderful cook. Hated fishing, hunting.
She was a wonderful Grandmother and I loved going to see her in Norman. She lived at 1030 College Street in Norman, OK. She rented rooms in her home later in life to college students (many were from other countries). Many of these tenants would bring her gifts from their home countries. She loved antiques and would live for the day of a "lucky find." She would rub her hands together and lick her lips when she was anticipating something great. She drank beer for many years, but later in life stopped. She was a smoker until her death, but had switched to drinking TAB. She died shortly before my birthday and when we had returned home from her funeral an envelope had arrived in the mail. It was a birthday card with a 50 cent piece taped to the letter. Although she could not afford an expensive gift it was one of the gifts that I remember to this day on my birthday each year (especially as I write this on 2-5-93, 19 years later.
Another very important thing to know about my Grandmother was that she loved practical jokes. One Halloween, she helped me play a trick on Laurie, where I put a stocking over my face and came to the door and grabbed the whole bowl of candy from my little sister. I ran off with the bowl, my dad chasing after me. As my dad brought this "captured" person back to the house, I escaped his grasp and ran hollering at Laurie. It was very funny to see the look on her face. It was Grandmother's idea.
She had beautiful skin. She never had one blemish in her life. She loved to dance, loved music. She loved to wear hats and beautiful clothes.
She loved animals, also loved to sew. She made Lynne's dancing costumes.
She loved dolls. She was a realist, matter-of-fact, strong willed person.

Parents: Paul C. Lessly and Martha Louise Guyton.

Spouse: William Leonard Gibbs. Winnie Alice Lessly and William Leonard Gibbs were married on 30 April 1938 in Norman, OK. Children were: Paul Buddy Gibbs, Winnie Lynne Gibbs.

Spouse: James Keener. Winnie Alice Lessly and James Keener were married UNKNOWN. Children were: Valda Keener, Norma Joe Keener.

Spouse: Irvin Donnie Dyer. Children were: Arland Dyer, Jolene Dyer, Ronnie Dyer, Max Dyer, Dan Dyer.

Individual: Starkey, Thelma
Birth date: Nov 19, 1899
Death date: May 1976
Social Security #: 441-30-7641
Last residence: OK 73069
State of issue: OK

Notes from Richard Ryan
She had a pacemaker. Lived on Pickard Street where we went to visit her and Uncle Carl often when I was a child.

Parents: Paul C. Lessly and Martha Louise Guyton.

Spouse: Carl W. Starkey. Children were: Winnie Mae Starkey, Joanne Starkey.

Spouse: Elizabeth RHULE.

Spouse: ? Hatfield. Children were: Loyd Hatfield.

Spouse: Samuel MARSH. Barbara LeAnn LESTER and Samuel MARSH were married in 1871 in Wayne Co KY.

Spouse: Frank ASBERRY.

Spouse: David Eugene Conrad. Children were: Cynthia Ellen Conrad, Edward David Conrad.

Spouse: Granvil MARSH.

Spouse: (Leslie) Crume Bertram. Children were: Hubert Lee Bertram, William Porter Bertram, Roy Harmond Bertram, Eva Mae Bertram, Brady Franklin Bertram, A. D. Bertram, James Alvin Bertram, Rose Bertram, Ruth Ann Bertram, Evelyn Bertram.

Spouse: Judy Elaine JESSEE. Children were: Angela Renee LESTER.

Spouse: Catherine RHULE.

Spouse: Ann MARKLAND.

Spouse: Susannah HURT "Susie". Susannah HURT "Susie" and George Washington LESTER were married in 1864 in Wayne Co KY. Children were: Sarah Lester, Rufus Lester, Polly Wayne Lester, John Wesley Lester, Martha Leann Lester, Canzada Lester, Liza Naomi Lester.

Spouse: Harold Hilbert. Children were: Danny Dewayne Hilbert, Larry Keith Hilbert.