Sharon LESSLY (private). Parents: Donald Edward LESSLY and Helen THOMPSON.


Sheryl Renee LESSLY (private). Parents: Roger Elbert LESSLY and Betty Jean WILLIAMS.


Shirley Jo LESSLY (private). Parents: Robert Thomas LESSLY and Helen Faye CRUMM.

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


Stella M. LESSLY164 was born about 1877 in Texas. Stella appears in the 1880 census for Hunt Co., TX as a member of her father's household. Her name is listed as "Stella M." in the census. Her age is listed as 3 and her place of birth as Texas. Her father's birthplace is listed as Missouri and her mother's birthplace is listed as Texas. Parents: John M. LESSLY and Adaline C. MACPHERSON.


Rev Stiles LESSLY164 was born on 21 October 1901 in near Higbee, Randolph Co., MO.254,970 He was christened in October 1912 in Higbee, MO. He was ordained on 5 March 1933 in ordained as minister in First Congregational Church. Stiles died on 9 September 1980 in North St. Louis County, MO.254 He was in minister. He was in Rev in United Church of Christ. Stiles was born on a farm one mile west of Higbee, Randolph County, MO.


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.


Terri LESSLY (private). Parents: Donald Edward LESSLY and Helen THOMPSON.


Travis William LESSLY (private). Parents: William Jack LESSLY and Sara Catherine BAGGETT.


William Augustus LESSLY164 was born on 14 July 1875 in near Higbee, Randolph Co., MO.215,943,945 He died Bright's disease (a chronic disease of the kidneys) on 9 May 1910 in Higbee, Randolph Co., MO. the following is taken from the notes of Stiles Lessly circa March 1, 1970

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.

************************************************************************** ******
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.262 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.


William Jack LESSLY (private). Parents: Jack Charles LESSLY and Mae Evelyn CASEY.

Spouse: Sara Catherine BAGGETT. Children were: Matthew William LESSLY, Travis William LESSLY.


Winnie Alice LESSLY164 was born on 20 February 1903 in near Norman, Cleveland County, OK. She died on 9 February 1974 in Norman, Cleveland County, OK.971 She was buried in IOOF Cemetary, Norman, OK. [Brøderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with G, Date of Import: May 17, 1997, Internal Ref. #1.111.3.77829.22]

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.


Zemily Audrey LESSLY164 was born on 1 May 1915. She died UNKNOWN. Parents: Melville Guyton LESSLY and Clara Gertrude HORN.

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


Zemmie Thelma LESSLY164 was born on 19 November 1899 in near Norman, Cleveland County, OK. She died on 29 May 1976 in Unknown.972 [Brøderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2, Ed. 3, Social Security Records: U.S., SS Death Benefit Records, Surnames Beginning with S, Date of Import: May 17, 1997, Internal Ref. #1.112.3.75191.47]

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. Zemmie Thelma LESSLY and Carl W. STARKEY were married in 1918 in Unknown. Children were: Winnie Mae STARKEY, Joanne STARKEY.


Andrew Jackson LESTER was born on 5 December 1829 in Wayne Co KY. He died on 1 October 1879 in Wayne Co KY. He was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

Spouse: Elizabeth RHULE.


Angela Renee LESTER (private). Parents: Donald Lane LESTER and Judy Elaine JESSEE.


Anna LESTER (private). Parents: Sam LESTER and Ellen WELLS.

Spouse: ? HATFIELD. Children were: Loyd HATFIELD.


Barbara LeAnn LESTER was born on 24 June 1844 in Wayne Co KY. She died on 1 February 1906 in Wayne Co KY. She was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

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


Belva LESTER (private).

Spouse: Frank ASBERRY.


Beverly Anne LESTER (private). Parents: William Thomas LESTER and Willa Doris NELMS.

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


Bonnie Alberta LESTER (private). Parents: Sarah Cleveland HANCOCK.


Canzada LESTER144 was born on 2 December 1871. Parents: George Washington LESTER and Susannah HURT "Susie".


Catherine LESTER "Katy" died between 1823 and 25. She was born in 1846 in Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

Spouse: Granvil MARSH.


Cora Irene LESTER144 was born on 26 June 1893. She died on 15 August 1935.

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.


David LESTER (private). Parents: Jacob LESTER and Dice LOWE.


Debbie LESTER (private). Parents: Ralph Edward LESTER and Nettie PERDUE.


Denise LESTER (private). Parents: Lee LESTER and Mary SCOTT.


Dennis LESTER144 was born on 9 December 1919. He died on 3 January 1936. Parents: J.V. LESTER and Curtis HANCOCK.


Diana LESTER (private). Parents: Lee LESTER and Mary SCOTT.


Donald Lane LESTER (private).

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


Edward LESTER was born in 1834. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

Spouse: Catherine RHULE.


Edward H. LESTER (private). Parents: Willie H. , Rev. LESTER and Naomi NEAL.


Ernest Floyd LESTER (private). Parents: Sarah Cleveland HANCOCK.


Eugene LESTER (private).

Spouse: Ann MARKLAND.


Francis LESTER was born in 1837 in Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".


George Washington LESTER144 was born on 9 February 1838. He died in 1901 in Wayne Co KY. He was buried in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

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.


Helen Delores LESTER (private). Parents: Willie Osco LESTER and Maggie Alice BERTRAM.

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


Henry Harmon LESTER was born in 1845 in Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

Spouse: Nannie Belle MATTHEWS.


Homer Troy LESTER (private). Parents: Sarah Cleveland HANCOCK.


J.V. LESTER (private).

Spouse: Curtis HANCOCK. Children were: Dennis LESTER, Vale LESTER, Truman LESTER, Lee LESTER, Willomine LESTER.


Jacob LESTER was born in 1838 in Wayne Co KY. Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".

Spouse: Dice LOWE. Children were: David LESTER, Jinks LESTER.


James H. LESTER (private). Parents: Willie H. , Rev. LESTER and Naomi NEAL.


James Riley LESTER was born in 1841 in Wayne Co KY. Died in the Civil War Parents: William LESTER and Mary BERTRAM "Polly".


Jinks LESTER (private). Parents: Jacob LESTER and Dice LOWE.


Joe LESTER was born WFT Est. 1861-1908.57 He died WFT Est. 1873-1985.57 Parents: Sam LESTER and Ellen WELLS.


John Wesley LESTER144 was born on 20 May 1870. Parents: George Washington LESTER and Susannah HURT "Susie".

Spouse: Florence"Flonnie" BERTRAM. Florence"Flonnie" BERTRAM and John Wesley LESTER were married on 1 March 1911.


Johnnie Evelyn LESTER (private). Parents: Willie H. , Rev. LESTER and Naomi NEAL.

Spouse: Robert L. FROMMELL.


Johnnye Lee LESTER (private).

Spouse: Walter Wisdon "Pete" COPELAND.


Kathy LESTER (private). Parents: Lee LESTER and Mary SCOTT.


Lee LESTER (private). Parents: J.V. LESTER and Curtis HANCOCK.

Spouse: Mary SCOTT. Children were: Diana LESTER, Denise LESTER, Kathy LESTER.


Liza Naomi LESTER144 was born on 1 March 1873. She died on 6 March 1922. Parents: George Washington LESTER and Susannah HURT "Susie".

Spouse: Barton Stone HUCABY. Children were: Bertie Elbert HUCABY, Myrta Ethel HUCABY, Charlie Wesley HUCABY, Wilburn Roy HUCABY, Marvin Rosco HUCABY, Ida Mae HUCABY, Edgar HUCABY, Elmer HUCABY, Minnie Pearl HUCABY, Nancy Luvada HUCABY, Rosa Lee HUCABY, Edna Ina HUCABY, (William)Isaac , Rev. HUCABY.


Lola Bell LESTER (private). Parents: Sarah Cleveland HANCOCK.