Tenth Generation

881. James Elgin LESSLY¹¹⁷ was born on 11 March 1871 in near Higbee, Randolph Co., MO.^324,325,376 He died died of a stroke on 6 October 1947 in near Higbee, Randolph Co., MO.³⁷⁶ He was buried on 8 October 1947 in Old Higbee Cemetery, Higbee, MO.³⁷⁶ James was in farmer. He was in Protestant, Disciple Church. Medical: had hardening of the arteries.

the following was taken from the note of Stiles Lessly circa march 1, 1970

James Elgin born March 11, 1871 at Higbee. When he was 11 years old his mother died, and he moved with his father and brothers to the farm. When he had grown up he operated a lumber yard for a few years in Higbee. Early in 1895 he went to Oklahoma, living there with his Uncle and Aunt, Paul C. and Lou Lessly. On Nov 10, 1895 he was married to Ora May Grotts. Their son George W. was born on Aug 18, 1896. Two other children died in infancy. Ora May (Grotts) Lessly died Arpil 26, 1899.

James Elgin then returned to Missouri with his son George W. and live with his father's family for a time. George W. was then a little under three years old. Late in 1899 James Elgin purchased the Wm. P. Dysart farm one mile west of Higbee, Missouri and on March 4, 1900 he was married to Gertrude M. Stiles who lived near Renick, MO. They lived on the farm until James E. died on Oct 6, 1947, after which his wife sold the farm. To this union one son was born, Stiles Lessly, on Oct 21, 1901. Gertrude (Stiles) Lessly died on Aug 13, 1960 at age 87.

taken from the obituary of James Elgin Lessly
James E. Lessly, one of our best known and most substantial citizens, who had been in poor health for two years or more, and who recently suffered a light stroke, but from which he had all but recovered, passed away at the family home west of town at 3:25 p.m. Monday, October 6, 1947. The body was brought to the Burton Funeral Home where it remained until the hour of the funeral, 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Christian church, and interment was made in the city cemetary.
The funeral service was in charge of his son, the Rev. Stiles Lessly, and although it was a most trying ordeal for him, it was one of the most beautiful and consoling we ever heard.
James Elgin Lessly, son of Geo. W. and Annie Patrick Lessly, was born on the old Hezekiah Pattrick farm, northwest of Higbee, on March 11, 1871. He was the oldest of a family of eight children. A few years later the family moved to Higbee, living in the house which stood where the Dinwiddie building now stands.
One of his earliest recollections was the building of the Chicago & Alton railroad. When he was eleven years old his mother died. At the age of sixteen, with his father and brothers, he moved to a farm two miles northwest of town, where he grew to manhood. He attended Old Higbee school and later the high school and Hatton College. For a time he operated a lumber yard in Higbee. In 1895 he went to Oklahoma, locating on a farm near Norman. On November 10, 1895 he was married to Ora May Grotts. Three children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy. On April 26, 1899, his wife died, and with his small son, George W., he returned to Missouri. He purchased the farm a mile west of Higbee in the autumn of 1899 from Medley Burton. On March 4, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Stiles, of near Renick. They settled on the farm and lived there for more than forty-seven years. One son, Stiles, was born to this union.
Through the years he gave the major emphasis of his life to the farm, which he worked faithfully and successfully. He entered into the life of the community in many ways. He served as school director and for one term as road overseer. In 1902 he united with the Higbee Christian church at which time the Rev. A.N. Lindsay was pastor. He attended the services of the church as long as his health permitted, serving as a deacon and a member of the official board.
He was deeply interested in religious matters and did a vast amount of reading on the subject, and was a good Bible student. He was always keenly interested in political affairs and remained a loyal Democrat.
He had been in failing health for about two years, and passed away at 3:25 p.m., Monday, October 6. He is survived by his wife, two sons and their wives. Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Lessly of west of town, and Rev. and Mrs. Stiles Lessly, of DeKalb, Ill.; two grandchildren, James Alan, now at the University of Chicago, and Marilyn Jean of DeKalb; one sister, Mrs. Annie Williams, and a brother, O.P. Lessly, of Higbee, as well as a large number of nephews and nieces.
************************************************************************
Other notes

Ora May Grotts Lessly apparently died of septicemia

He used to give his only grandchildren James Alan and Marilyn Lessly a dollar every time they came to visit. They came to visit nearly every summer. Marilyn remembers they ate a lot of fried chicken - "the best fried chicken in the world".

From James Alan Lessly "My dad always had heard that the reason his dad came back from Oklahoma was due to the fact that he feared his in-laws would try to take possession of George. He avoided that by returning to Missouri. He had been staying with Uncle Paul in Oklahoma.

J.E. Lessly farm was 1 mile west of Higbee. Along the east side of the farm a road ran a little east & then
north towards Huntsville, a dinky town that was the county seat. A couple of miles up on this
road was the G.W. Lessly farm, on the east side. On the west side in that general area was the farm of H.E. Pattrick.

***********************************************************************
In the 1880 census for Randolph County, MO., James appears as a child in his father's household. His age is listed as 9 and his birthplace as Missouri. He is listed as having attended school within the last year. The birthplace for both parents is listed as Missouri.

In the 1900 census for Randolph County, MO, James appears as the head of his household. The Supervisor's District is #2, Enumeration District #132, Sheet #17. James is listed immediately after the entry for his father George W. Lessly. James is listed as having been born March of 1871 and is 29 years of age. His place of birth is listed as Missouri as is the birthplaces of both his parents. His occupation is listed as farmer. According to the census he can both read and write. Also listed in his household is his wife Gertie M. (Matilda Gertrude), and his son George W.
************************************************************************
28 Apr 1899--G. W. Lessley received a telegram from Norman, O. T, Wednesday evening, informing him of the death of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. E. Lessley, who had just died at that place.

5 May 1899--J. E. Lessley, of Norman, Oklahoma, who had the misfortune to lose his wife about ten days ago, came up Wednesday, bringing his three-year-old son with him. Mr. Lessley will make Higbee his home for the present.

Friday, 8 Aug 1924, Vol 38 No. 16--Building New Home.--Jas. E. Lessly last week began the erection of a comfortable and pretty new residence on his farm just northwest of town. With the old house gone, Mr. Lessly having torn it down, that part of the country will not look right for some time to come, the old house, and which was yet in first class condition, built by the late Dr. Wm. Dysart, having stood longer than many in the community can remember. Our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Lessly.

James Elgin LESSLY and Ora May GROTTS were married on 10 November 1895 in Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.^377,378 On the Marriage License of James and Ora May, a statement is given by Ora's mother giving permission for the marriage. James' age is listed as 24 and Ora May's age as 17.

From The Higbee News - 15 Nov 1895--J. E. Lessley who went to Oklahoma about a year ago and located near Norman, was married on the 10th, near that place to Miss Mary Grotts. The News extends congratulations. Ora May GROTTS^117,377 was born on 7 September 1878 in Kansas.³³³ She died septicemia on 26 April 1899 in Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.^377,379,380 She was buried on 27 April 1899 in IOOF Cemetary, Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.³⁷⁹ According to information obtained from Chris Ann Lessly, Ora's age at the time of her marriage was 16 years.

28 Apr 1899--G. W. Lessley received a telegram from Norman, O. T, Wednesday evening, informing him of the death of his daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. E. Lessley, who had just died at that place.

James Elgin LESSLY and Ora May GROTTS had the following children:

+1223
i.
George Washington LESSLY II.
1224
ii.
J. E. LESSLY^117,377 was born on 9 January 1898 in Oklahoma.³⁷⁹ He died on 9 January 1898 in Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.³⁷⁷ He was born on 8 April 1899 in Oklahoma.³⁷⁹ J. died on 18 April 1899 in Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.³⁷⁷ He was buried in IOOF Cemetary, Norman, Cleveland Co, OK.³⁷⁹

James Elgin LESSLY and Matilda Gertrude STILES were married on 4 March 1900 in Moberly, Randolph Co., MO.³⁸¹ Matilda Gertrude STILES¹¹⁷ was born on 28 April 1873 in near Clark, Randolph Co., MO.^{325,376,382,383} She died on 13 August 1960 in Moberly, Randolph Co., MO.^376,382 She was buried in Old Higbee Cemetery, Higbee, MO.³⁷⁶ Matilda was in taught rural school. She was in Protestant, Baptist. Gertrude is listed in the 1880 census for Randolph County, MO as a child in her father's household. Her age is given as 7 and her place of birth as Missouri. Also she is listed as having attended school in the year that the census was taken. Her parents place of birth is listed as Missouri.

In the 1900 census for Randolph County, MO, Gertrude appears as a member of her husband's household. She is listed as "Gertie M.". Her date of birth is listed as April 1873, her age as 27, and her place of birth as Missouri. The place of birth for both parents is also listed as Missouri. According to the census she can both read and write.

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

Matilda Gertrude Stiles taught rural school, and she married Mr. James Elgin Lessly of Higbee. Mr. Lessly was a widower with one son, George W. The Lessly's were farmers west of Higbee.

Friday, 4 Oct 1912--(The following is the list of winners, at the Higbee Street Fair.

Best collection of embroidery--Mrs. J. E. Lessly.
Best sofa pillow--Miss Elsie Stiles.
Best pair Rhode Island reds--W. r. Pattrick.

James Elgin LESSLY and Matilda Gertrude STILES had the following children:

+1225
i.
Rev Stiles LESSLY.