Son of Philip Lessig and Elizabeth Meckes. He married Margaret Meixell (daughter of Jacob Meixell and Margaretha Frantz.)

Children of John Lessig and Margaret Meixell:
1. Samuel Lessig b. 1823
2. George Lessig b. 1824
3. Philip Lessig b. 1827
4. Elizabeth Lessig b. 1831
5. Mary Ann Lessig b. abt 1832
6. John M Lessig b. 1833
7. Peter Lessig b. 1837
8. Susanna Lessig b. 1838
9. Enos Lessig b. 1841
10. Reuben Lessig b. 1843
11. Emeline Marguerite Lessig b. 1845

John Lessig was confirmed 3 December 1820 at St. Peter's Church in Plainfield Twp., Northampton County. He succeeded to his father, Philip's, estate near the Aquashicola Creek and, in 1835, built a grist-mill which was the second grist-mill in Ross Township. Sometime prior to 1835, John also built a saw-mill on the creek. John's son, Samuel Lessig, succeeded to his father's estate and property and continued to run both mills into the late 1800s. (Source: "History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe Counties", page 1225)

Records show that John Lessig joined the congregation of St. Peter's Church at Plainfield Twp., Northampton Co., on 3 Dec 1820.

In 1850 John Lessig, age 51 a farmer, was living in Ross Twp., Monroe Co., PA, with his wife, Margaret (Meixsell) Lessig, age 51, and 11 Lessig children; Samuel age 25, George age 23, Phillip age 21, Mary Ann age 18, Elizabeth age 17, John age 16, Peter age 14, Susan age 12, Enos age 10, Reuben age 7, and Emeline age 4. (1850 census, microfilm roll #798, Monroe Co., PA, pg. 42B, Ross Twp., house #109)

In 1860 John Lessig age 59 a farmer, was still living in Ross Twp., Monroe Co., PA, with his wife, Margaret (Meixsell) Lessig, age 59, and three Lessig children; Samuel age 30 a laborer, Reuben age 20 a laborer, and Emma age 15. Also listed in their household was Susannah Custard age 21. John Lessig owned real estate valued at $10,000 and personal property of $1,200. (1860 census, microfilm roll #1142, Monroe Co., PA, Ross Twp., house #704)

John died intestate in 1861. The administrator of his estate was his son, Samuel. A sale (vendue) of his farm goods and house furnishings was held on 25 April 1861 (Monroe Co. estate file #339). At the time of his death, John owned six tracts of land in Ross Twp. including a 15 acre lot of "limestone land" and a "homestead" tract of a little over 112 acres. The other four tracts covered over 460 acres of woodlands. Petitions were filed for court approval to sell all of this real estate to satisfy debts and make distribution to the heirs. These documents show that the 112 acre "homestead" tract was adjacent to lands of Jonas Smith, Jacob Remel, Charles Altemose, Peter Remel, and John Smith. It included about 100 acres of cleared land, 27 acres of which was meadow, and the remainder timber. On the property were a two-story log house, a large frame barn, wagon house, grainery, corn crib, bake oven, smoke house, and stable. There was also another log house of two and a half stories with a log stable and three apple orchards. Lastly, the property also included a three-story frame grist mill and frame sawmill.

The land was sub-divided for sale. Charles Correll bought 11 acres with the grist and saw mill for $1700. Reuben Lessig bought the meadow land and Samuel Lessig bought the remainder of the "homestead" acreage. Enos Lessig bought the limestone land. Samuel and Peter Lessig bought most of the timberland and signed bonds to the other heirs and dower bonds to the widows Margaret Lessig and Sarah Lessig (widow of heir Philip Lessig). Later records show that Charles Correll sold the grist and sam mill to Edward Van Buskirk who then sold it back to Samuel Lessig in 1885. (Monroe Co. orphans court file #457)

In 1870 John's widow, Margaret (Meixsell) Lessig, age 70, was living in Ross Twp., Monroe Co., PA, in the household of their married daughter, Emma (Lessig) Meckes, age 24, and her husband, George Meckes age 30 a carpenter, and their three Meckes children. (1870 census, microfilm roll #1376, Monroe Co., PA, pg. 158, Ross Twp., house #145)

Margaret (Meixsell) Lessig died intestate in 1871, 10 years after John. The administrator of her estate was her son, Enos Lessig. (Monroe Co. estate file #667)