>From "The Higbee News" dated 6 May 1910--SHELTON LESSLEY IS DEAD--Dies at His Home in Colorado Springs--Buried Here Sunday on His Seventy-Seventh Birthday--The many Higbee friends--and that's the entire community--of S. Lessley, a former citizen, were deeply pained last Friday on the receipt of a message stating that he had died at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo., the day before. But few here were aware of his sickness, and news of his death came as a shock. He had been sick for about three weeks with kidney trouble, but was up and around most of the time until two days before his death, and the family and physician had strong hopes of his recovery. He was evidently weaker or in a worse condition than they thought, for after going to bed Tuesday he seemd to grow worse and Wednesday night became unconscious and breathed his last about 10 o'clock Thursday morning. The body, accompanied by Mrs. Lessley and H. L. Brooks, arrived here Saturday and was conveyed to the home of W. H. Burton. Funeral services were held at the Christian church Sunday afternoon, and the large crowd spoke more truly of the esteem in which he was held by young and old than any words we could say. After the services at the church the remains were taken in charge by the Higbee Masonic lodge, of which body he was an honored member, and laid to rest in the city cemetery with the full honors of the fraternity, for which he had done so much and which he so dearly loved. Mr. Lessley was a native Missourian, being born in Howard county on May 1, 1833, and died in Colorado Springs, Colo, on April 28, 1910, lacking but two days of being 77 years old. He was the son of Andrew Lessley who came to Randolph county from Kentucky in 1829. A few years later he removed to Howard county where he was married to Miss Lucy A. Robb, who had came from Kentucky with her parents. Shelton Lessley was born of this union. He received a common school education, and on reaching manhood followed teaching for a few years with great success. On March 23, 1855 he was married to Miss Surrilda Pyle, daughter of John Pyle of Kentucky. To this union two sons were born--Andrew J. and May W.--both of whom are dead. Mrs. Lessley died on October 6, 1876. Some two of three years later he married Miss Orpha J. Brooks, daughter of Benj. R. Brooks, who came from Kentucky to Randolph county. To this union three children were born--Elgin, Ora and Nettie Lee--who, with their mother, survive. In 1855 Mr. Lessley was elected county surveyor, which office he filled with credit for four years. He was later appointed to fill out an unexpired term and served three years more. In 1866 he was appointed deputy assessor and helped make two assessments. In both offices he proved reliable and efficient and gave general satisfaction. During the time he was holding county office he carried on his farm work on the old home place just south of town, and was very successful. In 1874 he engaged in the mercantile business in Higbee under the firm name of S. Lessley & Co. On the first coal mine being put down here he sold an interest in the store to the Higbee Coal Co, and in 1887 bought the latter's interest and took his sons in with him, the style of the firm being S. Lessley & Sons. This firm perhaps did the largest business ever done by any store in Higbee, and prospered wonderfully for a few years. The great panic of twenty years ago, the closing of the mines and large credit accounts forced the firm to close its doors in July 1892. Had Mr. Lessley been so disposed he could have beat his creditors out of large amounts, but he was not built that way, and turned over everything he had, including his farm and home, that those who had trusted him might not lose anything. A few months following this misfortune death robbed him of the two sons who had been in business with him. A year or so later he opened a small grocery store, but gave it up shortly, having no heart to continue in business after the death of his boys. Some eight or nine years ago he removed to Colorado Springs, then to St. Louis for a year or more, then back to Colorado Springs where he remained until his death. During his long residence here he did much for the good of the town and community and was always to be found on the side of right and progress. He was a devout member of the Christian church, and for a long number of years was an elder in the church here, and was one of its first members. He gave liberally towards the cause of the church and when he didn't head the subscription list he would tell them to go ahead and raise what they could and he would pay the balance. He was for years superintendent of the Sunday school and was always to be found at his post, and on several occasions had officiated at the funeral of friends in the absence of the pastor. His liberality didn't stop with the church work, for he was always willing and ready to put in more than his part in every good cause that presented itself, and if those who were in distress or straightened circumstances whom he had given help or extended credit or advanced money without hope of seeing it again could be lined up, it would be found that they would constitute quite a little army. He was an enthusiastic Mason and was the last living charter member of the Higbee lodge. he had filled every office in the lodge, both elective and appointive, as well as the offices of District lecturer and District Deputy Grand Master. In the days of his activity he was known as one of the brightest Masons in Missouri, and was to be found at every session of the Grand lodge. His death is deplored by a wide circle of relatives and friends and the sympathy of all who knew him goes out to his loved ones. He was a kind and loving father and husband, splendid citizen and christian gentleman and we know that the world is better for his having lived in it. Peace to his ashes. Kathy Bowlin