These two families have all passed away, but were a part of the early history of Maloy. The following account is based on old abstracts and records at the courthouse and information supplied by Bob and Liz LYNCH.

George LEMLEY originated from [Mount Morris, Greene County] Pennsylvania and bought 340 acres in Sections 3, 4, and 9 from William TURNER, a large land holder, in 1868. LEMLEY also purchased 40 acres in Section 10 from Ringgold County by government patent that same year.

In 1869, David LEMLEY, also from Greene County, Pennsylvania, bought 40 acres in Section 10. The relationship between the two men is unknown.

David was married to Malinda HEADLY and they had a son James, who was born in 1866 in Pennsylvania. Soon after their first purchase, they bought 80 more acres in the west 1/2 of NW 1/4 of Section 9 and built a house. Three girls were born after they settled in Benton township. Ida was born in 1871 and daughters Myrtle and Clara arrived later.

In 1872 David and Malinda bought the NW 1/4 of Section 9 and deeded to Benton twnship one acre in the northeast corner for a school. The Ringgold County courthouse records show there was school held there in 1875. The school would have been located in the corner where the road from the south meets Highway #2 now. These were dirt roads without fill. (See SCHOOLS section for more details.)

Perry BASSINGER arrived in this area from Kentucky sometime later. He and Ida LEMLEY were married December 22, 1891 at the Methodist parsonage in Mount Ayr by Reverend NYE. In 1900 they purchased 160 acres in Section 8 and in 1901 bought the 160 acres in Section 9 known as the BASSINGER farm. They moved a two-story house there from Taylor County to make their home. The couple set out a big orchard to the north. In 1928 Perry BASSINGER built a large barn which still [1987] stands at a cost of $9,500. Reportedly, there was a keg of nails put in each of the rafters. The framework and the inside of the barn remain sturdy, though the roof has sagged due to the inability to employ a worker willing to shingle the tall structure.

David LEMLEY died in 1907 of dropsy. Malinda lived until January 1925 and died at age 81. They are both buried in Shay [Platte River] Cemetery.

Perry and Ida had a son Johnnie shortly after they settle here. He developed early health problems and died in October 1942. Perry died in December of 1943 of cerebral hemorrhage. Ida was laid to rest in November of 1950. They are both buried at Rose Hill in Mount Ayr because of Ida's concern over the future upkeep of Shay [Platte River] Cemetery.

Jim, who was a widower, came to live with his aging maiden sisters, Myrtle and Clara. Later, a relative, Mrs. SMITH, came and cared for them in their declining years. Clara, who had always been at home, died in 1954. Myrtle, a school teacher in her younger days, is listed on her death certificate as a "maid" by occupation. These ladies were buried in Shay [Platte River] Cemetery.

Jim taught school and was at one time a state legislator. He died in 1958 and is buried near Leon. As a young man, he used to sit on the front porch of their home here and watch the covered wagon caravans pass ontheir route west.

Myrtle and Clara sold the BASSINGER farm to Wilber and Bob LYNCH. Their other 120 acres were sold to Roscoe and Edith WERTZ.

NOTES: David A. LEMLEY, the son of George and Louisa (MORRIS) LEMLEY, was born May 7, 1835, Greene County, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of 72 years May 20, 1907. He married Malinda HEADLEY on January 1, 1865, Greene County, Pennsylvania. Malinda (HEADLEY) LEMLEY, daughter of James and Sarah (JOHNSON) HEADLEY, was born September 14, 1842 in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of 82 years on January 14, 1925. They were interred at Platte River Cemetery near Maloy.

David and Malinda (HEADLEY) LEMLEY were the parents of six children:
Sadie Alva LEMLEY DeBOLT, pictured at right, was born November 12, 1868, and died May 21, 1941, Kellerton. She married November 16, 1886, Kellerton James Bowen DeBOLT. James, the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Spicer (BROWN) DeBOLT, was born in Green County Pennsylvania October 19, 1861, and died October 21, 1930. There were interred at Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
Ida LEMLEY BASSINGER was born in 1871 and died in November 16, 1950. On December 22, 1892 she married Perry B. BASSINGER who was born in Illinois April 9, 1860, and died in January of 1944. Their only child Johnny BASSINGER was born July 5, 1894 at Maloy, and died December 22, 1942. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Myrtle Emma LEMLEY was born January 5, 1879, and died July 25, 1963 with interment at Platte River Cemetery.
Clara Credala LEMLEY was born July 22, 1882, and died May 13, 1954 with interment at Platte River Cemetery.
David and Malinda raised Johnny LEMLEY, taking him into the home at age two.

SOURCE: Maloy, Iowa Centennial History: 1887 - 1987 p. 137.

Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library

Transcription and Notes by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2011