Chattahoochee County GaArchives Biographies.....Lester, James M. 1813 - 1887
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 5, 2004, 2:09 pm

Author: Charles N. Howard
GRANDPA LESTER 
Data furnished by his grandchildren.

    Mr. James M. Lester was born in North Carolina June 4, 1813;, married
Elizabeth Hightower Goodwin, Nov. 27, 1834 in Greenville, S. C.; moved to
Georgia where he died Nov. 3, 1887 in Chattahoochee Co., after residing here for
twenty-two years, his home being the place known later as the William McBride
place.

    He was converted and joined the Methodist Church when eighteen years of age,
and his whole life was a beautiful illustration of Christian virtue. His
fidelity and zeal were evidenced in the responsible positions of class leader,
Sunday School Superintendent and steward of his church. He was the mainstay of
the church in his community (Sharon, near Mt. Paran, which fell into a state of
decay soon after the death of Mr. Lester, and a few others who were zealous
members), and he maintained family worship throughout the years of his life.

    He was a subscriber to the Southern Christian Advocate from its first number
published in Charleston, S. C. Mr. Lester's beneficent influence was felt in the
schoolrooms of this county, too; for he was a teacher during his residence here,
having taught in other places, among them, Rome, Ga., where he was professor in
the school, now the famous Shorter College, and he lived in Floyd Co., for a
number of years. Records of Chattahoochee County show that he taught several
large schools here, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Patterson both attended schools he
taught; Mr. Patterson at Mt. Paran at the Cross Roads (Renfroe), where she says
grown young men were under his guidance. Mr. A. D. McGlaun recalls being in this
school and the great respect felt for Mr. Lester who was somewhat deaf at this
time, which of course, afforded the pupils an opportunity to take advantage of
him; but so great was the esteem felt for him that they refrained from using
this advantage.

    Mr. Lester's father was a surgeon, and so was his son (Dr.) James H., who
spent his youth and old age in this county. The latter graduated at Philadelphia
and soon began service in the War Between the States.

    When Mr. Lester and his wife left South Carolina, his father wrote a number
of prescriptions and gave to them. Since they were moving into Georgia when
physicians could not always be called readily, no doubt these prescriptions.
proved of great value. He also gave to them another valuable asset, "Aunt Siny"
who lived to be very old and helped to nurse Mr. Lester's grandchildren.

    Family tradition is that the founder of the family in America came over in
the Mayflower, giving service to repay the passage money as so many adventurous
young men of that period did. The name Edward Liester is on the monument at
Plymouth, he being one of two young men who came as indentured servants (this
information supplied by Mrs. C. C. Reiser). It is thought the Liesters came down
to Virginia and through the Carolinas into Georgia. The name has been variously
spelled Liester, Lister, Lester.

    Mr. J. M. Lester's death was caused by injuries received when he was thrown
from a horse. His wife and five children survived him, and their descendants now
live in several southern states. His friends and neighbors said of him, "A good
man has gone to his reward," and with this tribute so richly deserved, the
sketch of another worthy life in Chattahoochee ends.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY, GEORGIA
By N. K. Rogers

Dedicated to

KASIHITA CHAPTER U. D. C.

and all worthy descendants of the County's first settlers.

Copyright 1933

by N. K. ROGERS

PRINTED   BY
COLUMBUS  OFFICE  SUPPLY CO. COLUMBUS, GA.

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