Tenth Generation

886. Annie LESSLY¹¹⁷ was born in December 1881 in near Higbee, Randolph Co., MO.^325,326,391 She died about 1961 in Moberly, MO. She was buried in Old Higbee Cemetery, Higbee, Missouri.³⁹¹ the following is taken from the notes of Stiles Lessly circa March 1, 1970

Annie Lessly lived with her father until his death in 1922. In addition to being housekeeper for him, she took care of Lucy during her long illness and Uncle Gus (William Augustus Lessly) during his fatal illness. After her father's death she was married to Tom Williams of Higbee. They bought a farm about five miles north of Higbee and lived there until Tom's death. Annie then sold the farm and bought a house in Higbee and lived there until she had a stroke. Her last two years were spent in a nursing home in Moberly.

A marriage license issued by the Recorder of Deeds for Randolph County, MO says that Annie E. Lessly and T. J. Williams were married on 28 July, 1924 at Moberly, MO. The license is signed by the Christian Minister of Moberly, MO and witnessed by Maude Williams and Claude Lessly. This Claude Lessly should be Annie's nephew Claude Kimborough Lessly. The other witness, Maude Williams, would later become Claude's wife. It is possible that Maude is related to Annie's husband T. J. Williams.

In the 1900 census for Randolph County, MO, Annie appears as a member of her father's household. Her date of birth is listed as December 1881, her age as18 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 and has attended school for 7 months.

In the 1910 census for Randolph County, MO, Annie appears as a member of her father's household. Her age is listed as 28 and her place of birth as Missouri. Both parents are listed as having been born in Missouri. No occupation is listed for her. She is listed as being able to read, write, and speak English. Annie's brother "Gus" is also listed (as William A.) in the census. The census was taken about a month before his death.

Annie LESSLY and Thomas J. WILLIAMS were married on 28 July 1924 in Moberly, MO.³⁹² Friday, 1 Aug 1924, Vol 38 No. 15--Williams-Lessly--Mr. Thos. J. Williams and Miss Annie Lessly, two of our best known residents, sprang what they may have thought was a surprise on their friends and acquaintances Tuesday by slipping away to Moberly in a car, where they were united in marriage at the home of the officiating minister, the Rev. E. M. Richmond, leaving immediately thereafter for Taylorville, Ill., for a visit with Mr. Williams' sister, Mrs. Geo. Lilly. As the wedding of this most estimable couple had been looked for some time, and
had been rumored on one or two occasions as having already taken place, it came as a surprise to but few.
The legion of friends of each join the NEWS in the wish that happiness may ever attend them. Thomas J. WILLIAMS¹¹⁷ was born in 1871.³⁹¹ He died in 1944 in Randolph County, MO.³⁹¹ He was buried in Old Higbee Cemetery, Higbee, Missouri.³⁹¹ 4 Oct 1907--T. H. Williams, moved to Taylorville, Ill, last week.

4 Oct 1907--Mrs. Sarah Williams is visiting relatives at Taylorville, Ill.