HESTER, John Gilmer, Claiborne Parish, then Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
Date: 1999-2000



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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 205-207.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Hester, John Gilmer, extensive real estate operator, Shreveport, La., was born
at Homer, La., July 4, 1881; son of William Davies and Sallie (Christian)
Hester, the former of whom was a native of the state of Georgia and came to
Louisiana with his parents about the year 1846.  His active life was devoted
to the avocation of a Louisiana planter, in which he was successful.  He died
at about the age of 60 years.  The mother was a native of the state of
Louisiana, and a daughter of John Gilmer and Susan Christian, whose ancestors
were among the early settlers in Louisiana.  John Gilmer Hester was the
seventh of 8 children born to his parents.  After attendance at the public
schools he matriculated at Keatchie college, which institution he attended
until within 1 year of graduation.  Shortly following the completion of his
education he became associated with W. C. Perrin in the real estate business
at Shreveport, and continued in this connection until the death of Mr. Perrin
some time later, when he succeeded to the business of the firm, which has
since been conducted in the name of J. G. Hester, real estate operator, and
has grown to the proportions of one of the largest private enterprises in
Louisiana.  At this time Mr. Hester is handling an addition to the city of
Shreveport known as "Exposition Heights," in which he is selling lots.  He has
built more than 500 homes in the city of Shreveport, and for some years past
has been one of the most active and potent factors in the rapid development
and upbuilding of that handsome and progressive city.  He is a member of
Shreveport Lodge No. 122, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a
member of the board of directors of the Louisiana State fair, that has been of
almost incalculable value to North Louisiana and adjoining states in recent
years.  He is a remarkably active, progressive and sagacious public-spirited
citizen who believes in building a town on such model plans that the whole
community may participate in the practical and enduring results.  In 1903 Mr.
Hester was married to Miss Julia Stoer, daughter of Charles Stoer, a native of
the city of Bayou Sara, La.  Mr. and Mrs. Hester have 2 daughters, viz.: 
Julia Grace and  Virginia Ruth.  As affording the rarest kind of a tribute to
the integrity of an individual member of a business community, especially when
the age of the subject is taken into consideration, the following extract is
made from a recent issue of the Shreveport Times, referring to Mr. Hester, the
subject of this sketch:  "The popular idea that the world shuns a troubled man
must be discarded since a meeting held yesterday afternoon of the creditors of
J. G. Hester, real estate operator.  The gathering, called for the purpose of
arranging some form of settlement of Mr. Hester's financial difficulties, was
attended by about 50 of the leading bankers, business men, and attorneys of
Shreveport.  The meeting was held at 4 o'clock, and resolved itself almost
immediately into a remarkable expression of confidence in the business
capacity of Mr. Hester and a generous tribute to the splendid part he has
played in the development of Shreveport.  Speaker after speaker declared Mr.
Hester, was worthy of all confidence.  Some expressed their willingness to
waive their claims; others said their financial resources were at the disposal
of Mr. Hester.  The original proposition of Mr. Hester and his attorney, Mr.
John D. Wilkinson, was to put the business of Mr. Hester in bankruptcy, but
his creditors would not hear of it.  In the end it was decided to have the
business conducted by three trustees L. E. Thomas, president of the
Continental bank; S. W. Smith, president of the American National hank, and
Robert R. Emery, real estate and insurance man.  A committee of 3 lawyers: 
Leon R. Smith,  E.B. Herndon, Sr., and  E. Wayles Browne, was appointed to
draw up the necessary documents putting the trustee plan into effect.  An
agreement was reached unanimously by the creditors to have the trustees employ
Mr. Hester, at a good salary, as sales agent.  It was originally proposed to
have Mr. Hester named as one of the trustees, but as he will have to transfer
his property to the trustees, and would thus, be placed in the attitude of
transferring it to himself, this idea had to be abandoned.  A rough statement
of the liabilities of Mr. Hester showed them to be $140,000.  His assets,
consisting of property, have an aggregate value of $180,000, or thereabout, if
they are not disposed of at forced sale.  Among those who paid tribute to Mr.
Hester's great work as a progressive developer of Shreveport, and to his
well-recognized business acumen, were Lieut.-Gov. Barret,  Hon. William
Winter,  E. B. Herndon, Sr.,  S. W. Smith and  Gabe Leadmann.  There were
numerous others.  Not a single discordant note was heard at the meeting.  Not
a creditor expressed a desire to secure or collect his claim.  It was
altogether one of the most remarkable tributes ever paid to a business man of
Shreveport or anywhere else.