Mexico weekly ledger., 1905-02-16
AOBITUAR
ELp. WILLIAM J. JESSE.

William J. Jesse was the son Of Ed.
William M. and Polly Ann Jesse.
He was their third son and sixth
child. He was born near Gainesville,
Cumberland county, Va, May !, 1928
He died January 25, 1905, at his home
near Mexico, Mo-, aged 76 years, 5
months and "a days. Sunday morning,
January %. about 8 a. m, he had a
stroke Of apoplexy and paralysis Of the
right side. He fingered until 10 O'Clock
Wednesday night but never seemed
to gain any degree of consciousness.
We could only stand by and see the
life ebb away, not able to give even a
cup Of water. Four years ago last
October mis- lie companion was taken
to the heavenly home, and he longed
to 60 too, and be at rest * sthe Para
disc OF God. He was married to
Manerva Black, December 10, 1851. TO
them were born Q children, six SONS
and 8 daughters. One daughter is
dead. There are 80 grand children
and great grand children living. All
bis children are members Of the Bap-
tist church.
One preacher and two are deacons.
Eld. w. M. Jesse moved bis family To
Missouri in Dec. 1888, when w. J. was
Just past years old. They lived one
year near Stephens Store, Callaway
county, Mo. He was near neighbor To
Ed. Peyton Stephens. In December,
1884, ED. Jesse had entered land
miles west of where Mexico now Is
and erected some log cabins, into
which he moved his family, consisting
of about Is persons, white and black
The subject of this sketch was six and
one half years old. 1t was a wilder
ness country. No town, no school, nc
church. Columbia, 35 miles, was the
nearest town.
The first schooling w. j. Jesse had
was In a rail pen In his fathers yard
and was taught by his Oldest brother
Ed. John p. Jesse. The roof was
stalks and kept the sun out, but when
1t rained they went into the. dwelling
house near by. His education was very
limited, writing, spelling, reading, and
not more than the rudiments Of
mathematics. When about 81 years Of
age he attended a school In Mexico
taught by ]. P. Clark, and he said this
is all the schooling be had that die
him any good. W. J. Jesse was in
different to religion until he was about
20 years old. In Nov. 1854 he was con
yerted In a meeting held by bis father
and Ed. J. M. Robinson. He was
baptized by his father and became
member of Hopewell church, and con
tinued In it's fellowship until his
death, SO years and two months.
Soon after be Joined the church
be was induced to lead in devo
toned meetings, exbort and pray II
public. And In the absence OF thu
pastor would preside at the Saturday
church meetings for business. Wher
his brethren wanted him to enlargt
his usefulness by exercising his speak
| ing gifts in more public way, he very
positively declined, urging his need o
educational advantages. He coult
read, but knew nothing of the ruler O
the English language. He had but
one book, his Bible, not even con
cordance.
He finally yielded to the opinion o
his brethren, and was licensed tt
''exercise his gifts in the bounds o
Little Bonnie Femme Association. l
is a fact that he never went beyont
the bounds his brethren set for him
Except or years at Corinth, Rail-
county, he never labored out of tn
bounds of what was then Little Bonn
Femme Association.
This was in July 1866, soon after thi
he had a regular appointment at Dull
school house. He preached once
month at IL O'Clock for several year
at this school house. He went abou
this time also to Naylor school hous
and this be continued for IL years. Al
q result of his labors at this place tn
Bethlehem church was organized
This is now one of the best churche
| In Audrain Association. He preache
some years at Bean Greek School hous
beginiug at this place in 1877. Ther
is now vigorous organization there
Gilead church.
In Sept. 1870 he was ordained to th
full privileges Of gospel minister
The following elders were present
Is. A. Beauchant, pastor in Mexico
W. R. Wiginton, pastor at Hopewel
his Oldest brother, John P. Jesse; JAIME
jackson, and bis brother, l. I. Jesst
were ordained ministers at the sam
time, and his brother, J. M, a deacor
Eld. Jesse never could get the cor
sent of bis mind to be ordained. II
felt that the liberty he had to preac
in any community where the peopl
desired to hear him was all he needed