1. 1900 Census, Marion Co, AL; Goddard District; taken on 19 Jun 1900; Page 193B; Image 24 of
36; Family 210/211.
Listed as Otto M. Tessneer; age 1, born in Feb 1899 in AL; in household of father, John L.
Tessner.
2. Jefferson Co, AL; WWI Draft Registration Card #307; 12 Sep 1918; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Otto Tessneer; age 19; born 22 Feb 1898; living at Morris, Jefferson Co, AL; miner; employed by
A.P. Thornton, Morris, AL; nearest relative, J.L. Tessneer; short with medium build; gray eyes and
light hair.
3. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Otto M. Tessneer; age 20; born in AL;coal miner; in household of father, John L.
Tessner.
4. Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957; LDS Web Site.
Otto W. Tessneer; age 24; born in 1899; single; married on 3 Mar 1923 in Birmingham, Jefferson
Co, AL; Lillie Hays; age 18; born in 1908; single.
5. 1940 Cenus, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Premier; taken on 15 Apr 1940; E.D.24-40;
Page 785B; Image 16 of 36; Household #97.
Listed as Otto W. Tesseneer; age 40; born in AL; 7th grade education; lived in Knott Co, KY on
1 Apr 1935; machine operator, head of household.
6. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Premier; taken 12 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 74; Dwelling #11.
Listed as Auto Tesner; age 51; born in AL; married; cutting machine operator in coal mine; head
of household.
7. Social Security Death Index; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Otto Tessner; born 22 Feb 1898; died in Dec 1980; last residence, Premier, McDowell Co, WV;
SS #232-12-6765; card issued in NC or WV before 1951.
1. Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957; LDS Web Site.
Otto W. Tessneer; age 24; born in 1899; single; married on 3 Mar 1923 in Birmingham, Jefferson
Co, AL; Lillie Hays; age 18; born in 1908; single.
2. 1940 Cenus, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Premier; taken on 15 Apr 1940; E.D.24-40;
Page 785B; Image 16 of 36; Household #97.
Listed as Lillie Tesseneer; age 30; born in AL; 7th grade education; lived in Knott Co, KY on
1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Otto M. Tessner.
3. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Premier; taken 13 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 75; Dwelling #11.
Listed as Lillian Tesner; age 42; born in AL; married; retail department store clerk; in household of
husband, Otto M. Tessner.
4. Social Security Death index; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Lillie I Tessner; born 27 Sep 1908; died 4 Oct 1990; last residence, Premier, McDowell Co, WV;
SS #235-36-7617; card issued in WV before 1951.
1. 1900 Census, Marion Co, AL; Goddard District; taken on 19 Jun 1900; Page 193B; Image 24 of
36; Family 210/211.
Listed as John L. Tessneer; age 25, born in Apr 1875 in AL; married 5 yrs; railroad laborer; head
of household.
2. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as John L. Tessneer; age 43; born in AL; married; coal miner; head of household.
1. 1900 Census, Marion Co, AL; Goddard District; taken on 19 Jun 1900; Page 193B; Image 24 of
36; Family 210/211.
Listed as Fannie B. Tessneer; age 23, born in Apr 1877 in AL; married 5 yrs; 2 children, both
livinig; in household of husband, John L. Tessner.
2. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Fannie B. Tessneer; age 42; born in AL; married; in household of husband, John L.
Tessner.
1. 1900 Census, Marion Co, AL; Goddard District; taken on 19 Jun 1900; Page 193B; Image 24 of
36; Family 210/211.
Listed as Latha H.C. Tessneer; age 3, born in Dec 1896 in AL; in household of father, John L.
Tessner.
1. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Stella Tessneer; age 18; born in AL; in household of father, John L. Tessner.
1. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Ada Tessneer; age 16; born in AL; in household of father, John L. Tessner.
1. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Victor Tessneer; age 11; born in AL; in household of father, John L. Tessner.
1. 1940 Cenus, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Premier; taken on 15 Apr 1940; E.D.24-40;
Page 785B; Image 16 of 36; Household #97.
Listed as Bessie Hayes; age 20; born in AL; 6th grade education; lived in Knott Co, KY on
1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Otto M. Tessner.
1. 1940 Cenus, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Premier; taken on 15 Apr 1940; E.D.24-40;
Page 785B; Image 16 of 36; Household #97.
Listed as Vance W. Tesseneer; age 16; born in AL; 3 yrs HS education; lived in Knott Co, KY on
1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Otto M. Tessner.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1942); Page 179; WV Archives Web Site.
Vance W. Tessner; age 21; born in AL; single; living at Marianna, WV; married on 14 Nov 1942 at
Pineville, WV; Norma Virginia Perkey; age 21 ; born and living at Premier, WV.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1955); Page 34; WV Archives Web Site.
Vance W. Tessner; age 32; born in AL; divorced; living at Premier, WV; married on 30 Jul 1955 at
Roderfield, WV; Goldie Mae Blevins; age 22; born and living at Roderfield, WV; single.
4. "Pocahontas Times"; Marlington, WV; 19 Dec 2002; Newspaper Obit.
"Vance W. Tessner, age 79, of Rt. 92, Marlinton/White Sulphur Springs, died December 11, 2002,
at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital.
"He was born August 21, 1923, in Paris, Alabama, the son of Otto and Lilly Tessner,
"He had been a resident of the Marlinton area for the past ten years. The greater part of his life was spent in Premier. He was a retired coal miner, a member of U.M.W.A. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the SS Simon Newcomb as Gunner's Mate.
"Surviving him are his wife, Goldie Blevins Tessner, of the home; one daughter, Patricia Tessner Coleman, of Marlinton; four sons, Vance (Sonny) Tessner, of Tampa, Florida, Douglas Tessner, of Roanoke, Virginia, Kevin Tessner and Steven Tessner, both of Ashboro, North Carolina; one sister, Judy Tessner Spence, of Meadow; twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
"Graveside rites were conducted Friday afternoon by the Rev. Bubby Salvo at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1955); Page 34; WV Archives Web Site.
Vance W. Tessner; age 32; born in AL; divorced; living at Premier, WV; married on 30 Jul 1955 at
Roderfield, WV; Goldie Mae Blevins; age 22; born and living at Roderfield, WV; single.
2. US Public Records Index, Vol #1; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Goldie M. Tessner; born 29 Mar 1933; living at Premier, WV 24878.
3. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Goldie Mae Tessner, 83, of Montevallo, AL, formerly of Premier, WV passed away Friday, February 10, 2017 at her residence. Born March 29, 1933, in Roderfield WV, she was the daughter of the late John and Ortha Steele Wagner. She was a resident of Roderfield and Premier the greater part of her life. She loved to garden and take care of flowers. She loved her Grandchildren and her honorary grandchildren Britany and Brandon Siron. She retired from the McDowell County School system where she served as a Custodian. She was a lifetime member of the WV Retired Teachers Association.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by; her husband, Vance Tessner, one son, Kevin Tessner, one grandson, Douglas Coleman, one sister, Brenda West, and one brother, Charles Wagner."Survivors include, one daughter, Patricia Coleman and husband Raymond of Montevallo, AL with whom she made her home; three sons, Vance "Sonny" and wife Tina of Tampa, FL; Douglas Tessner and wife Sonya of Vinton, VA; Steve Tessner of Asheboro, N.C.; eight grandchildren, Shawn Coleman and wife Kristal of McCalla, AL, Nicholas Coleman and wife Ivy of St Albans, WV, Mandy Merrek and husband Marty of Coalwood, WV, Kristen Parrish and husband Roger of Boones Mill, VA, Brittany Tessner of Roanoke, VA, Brandon Tessner of Asheboro, N.C., Samantha Tessner of Asheboro, N.C., and Adam Spence of Meador, WV; one brother, John Wagner of Coalwood, WV; ten Great Grandchildren; Special people in her life, Van and Loretta Weaver and Anna Tessner.
"Funeral Services will be conducted, Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at 12 Noon from the Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Welch, WV with Pastor Martin West officiating; burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV. ..."
1. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Sherman Tessneer; age 6; born in AL; in household of father, John L. Tessner.
2. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1944); Page 216; WV Archives Web Site.
John S. Tessner; age 33; born in AL; divorced; living in Wyoming Co, WV; son of John L. and
Frances Bell Tessner; married on 8 Dec 1946 at Pineville, WV; Notie S. Browning; age 33; born in
Mercer Co, WV; divorced; living at Pineville, WV; daughter of Lindo and Cora Shrewsbury.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1944); Page 216; WV Archives Web Site.
John S. Tessner; age 33; born in AL; divorced; living in Wyoming Co, WV; son of John L. and
Frances Bell Tessner; married on 8 Dec 1946 at Pineville, WV; Notie S. Browning; age 33; born in
Mercer Co, WV; divorced; living at Pineville, WV; daughter of Lindo and Cora Shrewsbury.
1. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1911); Page 49; Line 7; WV Archives Web Site.
Lindo Shrewsbury; age 22; born in Mercer Co, WV; single; living at Penk Oak, WV; married on
23 Dec 1911; Cora Lilly; age 20; born in Mercer Co, WV; single; living at Camp Creek, WV.
1. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1911); Page 49; Line 7; WV Archives Web Site.
Lindo Shrewsbury; age 22; born in Mercer Co, WV; single; living at Penk Oak, WV; married on
23 Dec 1911; Cora Lilly; age 20; born in Mercer Co, WV; single; living at Camp Creek, WV.
1. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Center District, taken on 18 Apr 1910;
Page 215A, Family #28.
Listed as Arville A. Browning, age 5, born in WV, in household of father, Green W. Browning.
2. "Wyoming County WV Heritage", WGS 1995, "Arville A. Browning" article, page 90.
"...He was married to Notie Shrewsbury from Mercer Co, W.V. and to Nellie Boner from
Moundsville, W.V.
"Two children, Robert Browning, New Florence, Pennsylvania, and Frances Browning Miller,
Albany, Georgia, were born at mouth of Turkey Creek where Marianna was later established..."
3. Social Security Death Index
Arville Browning; born on 1 May 1905; died in Dec 1972; living at Glen Easton, Marshall Co, WV at death.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1944); Page 216; WV Archives Web Site.
John S. Tessner; age 33; born in AL; divorced; living in Wyoming Co, WV; son of John L. and
Frances Bell Tessner; married on 8 Dec 1946 at Pineville, WV; Notie S. Browning; age 33; born in
Mercer Co, WV; divorced; living at Pineville, WV; daughter of Lindo and Cora Shrewsbury.
1. 1920 Census, Jefferson Co, AL; taken on 19 Jan 1920; Page 212A; Image 15 of 33;
Family #192/201.
Listed as Holler Tessneer; age 3; born in AL; in household of father, John L. Tessner.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 10 May 1940;
Page 1166B; Image 34 of 64; Household #287.
Listed as Hollis Tessner; age 23; born in AL; married; 9th grade education; lived in Haleyville,
Winston Co, AL on 1 Apr 1935; coal miner; head of household.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; E.D. 24-59; taken on 10 May 1940;
Page 1166B; Image 34 of 64; Household #287.
Listed as Mollie Tessner; age 18; born in AL; married; 9th grade education; lived in Haleyville,
Winston Co, AL on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Hollis H. Tessner.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #10431; WV Archives Web Site.
Jackie Colin Tessner; age 3 mons, 1 day; born 21 May 1942 at Marianna, Wyoming Co, WV;
son of Hollis Hershell and Maollie Geneva (Harris) Tessner, both born in Haleyville, AL; died 22
Aug 1942 in Stevens Clinic, Welch, WV from edema of glottis, enlaged thymus gland; buried
25 Aug 1942 in Haleyville, AL; informant, Hollis Tessner, Marianna, WV.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1958); Page 457; WV Archives Web Site.
Gilmer Lee McKinney; age 19; born at Herndon, WV; single; living at Jesse, WV; son of Clarence
and Brookie McKinney; married on 29 Nov 1958 at Skinfork, WV; Geneva Delores Tessner; age 18;
born at Panther, WV; single; living at Marianna, WV; daughter of Hollis H. and Mallie (sic, Mollie) G.
Tessner.
1. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1958); Page 457; WV Archives Web Site.
Gilmer Lee McKinney; age 19; born at Herndon, WV; single; living at Jesse, WV; son of Clarence
and Brookie McKinney; married on 29 Nov 1958 at Skinfork, WV; Geneva Delores Tessner; age 18;
born at Panther, WV; single; living at Marianna, WV; daughter of Hollis H. and Mallie (sic, Mollie) G.
Tessner.
1. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #65 034272; Ancestry.com Website.
Freeland McCoy; age 27; born at Isaban, WV; single; in US Army; living at Superior, WV; son of Charlie
and Tilda J. (Estep) McCoy; married on 4 Sep 1965 in Lebanon, VA; Judy Tessner; age 18; born in
Welch, WV; single; living in Premier, WV; daughter of Otto W. and Lillian (Hayes) Tessner.
1. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Premier; taken 13 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 75; Dwelling #11.
Listed as Judy Tesner; age 3; born in WV; in household of uncle (?), Otto M. Tessner.
(She showed him as her father in her marriage to Freeland McCoy).
2. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #65 034272; Ancestry.com Website.
Freeland McCoy; age 27; born at Isaban, WV; single; in US Army; living at Superior, WV; son of Charlie
and Tilda J. (Estep) McCoy; married on 4 Sep 1965 in Lebanon, VA; Judy Tessner; age 18; born in
Welch, WV; single; living in Premier, WV; daughter of Otto W. and Lillian (Hayes) Tessner.