Charles Ware Lessiter

Charles Ware Lessiter
b. 11/10/1848
d. 12/31/1935


Charles Ware Lessiter was the son of William and Ellen Lessiter of England. In the early 1840's, William and Ellen moved from England to Doylestown, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, the couple relocated to the other side of Wayne County in Jefferson. The couple had two sons, George (born about 1846) and Charles.

From local historical records, we can estimate that William and Ellen Lessiter moved to Jefferson, Wayne County, Ohio from England before 1853 when William was naturalized. Charles was a well-known businessman in the Jefferson area starting out as a harness maker and transitioning to Postmaster of the Plain post office in 1881. In that same year, he also opened a general store in connection with his harness shop which was located on the southeast corner of the main street intersection.

Charles' father and brother were both leather tanners. George is also found listed in various articles and census records as an undertaker and a butcher.

In 1870, Charles married Emma Gardner (born in Lancaster Co., PA) and they had three sons, William Wallace (12/23/1870 - 1/8/1942), Frank W. (7/3/1873 - 12/24/1904) and Frederick C. (Jun 1877 - 10/9/1939) and one daughter, Harriet Ellen (2/14/1890 - 1893).

Charles was also a member of the Jefferson Citizen's Cornet Band from 1884 to 1896.