Friday, 13 Oct 1916--JOSEPH LESSLEY DEAD--Joseph Lessly, one of Higbee's old and highly respected citizens, died at his home in this place on Wednesday, Oct 11, 1916, following an illness of two months or more, the immediate cause of death being infirmities of age, he having just entered his 86th year. Mr. Lessley was born Sept. 7, 1831, on the farm which he owned just south of town, and where he spent the greater part of his active life until 1908, when he removed to Higbee following the death of his wife in March of that year. This is Joseph Lessley son of James Lessley and Susan Hinkle. He was born in Missouri probably soon after the family moved from Jessamine Co., KY to Randolph County. The year of his birth is in some dispute. The publication "Records of Randolph County, Missouri" by Sherida Eddlemon lists his date of birth as Sept 7, 1830. My cousin Tim Lessley give me a date of Sept 7, 1832. In the 1850 census his age is listed as 16. In 1860 it is listed as 25. In 1870 it is listed as 33. In 1900 it is listed as 66. One must also take into consideration the marriage date of his parents is Aug 4, 1831. Sigh. Anyway his wife's name was Mesaline Johnson (1841-1909) and they were married Jun 10, 1861. Their children were as follows Susan J. Lessley b. abt 1862 Frances A. Lessley b. March 1864 Correnah Lessley b. Jun 24 1867 mar. Hiram Land d. 1960 Joseph F. Lessley b. 1870 mar. Leona Short Frank M. Lessley 1871-1933 Freddie Lessley b. abt 1875 Cole Younger Lessley b. Apr 22 1877 mar. Green B. Baker d. Oct 10 1960 Frate Lessley b. abt 1876 mar. Blackford Adams The brothers of Joseph that are mentioned are William A. Lessley (b. 1842) and Miller Lessley (1847-1931). The sisters are Susan E. Lessley (b. abt 1843 mar. William M. Six), Mary Ann Lessley (b. 1837 mar Nathaniel Robb), and Sarah Elizabeh Lessley (b. 1838 mar. Samuel Robb). Thanks for this post Kathy. Now I know where some of the Lessley family migrated to. Carole