William F. Kester
Chouteau County
History of Montana, Sanders, 1913

At the head of the Montana Implement Company, William F. 
Kester is actively identified with the manufacturing and 
mercantile interests of Great Falls and is contributing 
his full share towards the industrial development of the 
city.  A native of Ohio, he was born, December 8, 1865, 
at Arcanum, Darke County, coming on both sides of the 
house of thrifty German ancestry.

His father, Henry Kester, a native of Germany lived in 
the Fatherland until twelve years old.  Being an ambitious 
and venturesome boy, he then bade farewell to relatives 
and friends and came alone to America, hoping in this 
land of promise to improve his material condition.  
Going directly to Eaton, Ohio he continued his studies 
in the public schools for a short time, and later 
learned the trade of a carriage maker, which he followed 
successfully until his death in 1889.  He married 
Wilhelmina Kester who was born in Germany and came 
to this country with her parents in girlhood, and is 
still a resident of Eaton Ohio.  Eight children were 
born of their union, William F. being the fifth child 
in order of birth and the only one living in Montana.

Educated in Eaton Ohio, William f. Kester attended the 
common and high schools regularly until sixteen, after 
which he served an apprenticeship of three years at the 
trade of carriage blacksmith.  He subsequently did 
journeyman work at Eaton for six years, the pecuniary 
result of his labors being not at all satisfactory.  
In May 1886 borrowing money with which to pay his 
expenses, Mr. Kester came to Montana and for about 
seven years followed his trade in Helena, meeting 
with fair success.  Early in the spring of 1893 he 
came to Great Falls with a view of making a permanent 
settlement and a few weeks later embarked in business 
on his own account as a carriage maker and blacksmith, 
beginning in a small way at the corner of Second 
Avenue and Second Street.  Overcoming all obstacles 
he became quite successful in his undertakings and in 
1895 added an implement department to his plant, and 
organized his business as the Great Falls Carriage 
Works.  Prosperity smiled upon his efforts to such 
an extent that in 1898 the business was incorporated 
under the name of the Montana Implement Company and 
is now one of the largest of the kind in Northern 
Montana, William F. Kester being president while Mrs. 
Estella Kester, his wife is vice-president, secretary 
and treasurer.  Mr. Kester is a man of excellent 
business judgment and ability and has made wise 
investments of his money owning not only city property 
of value but large tracts of ranch lands.  He likewise 
has interests in other organizations, being vice-
president of the Northwestern Automobile and 
Engineering Company of Great Falls; president of 
the Merchants Association; and is now a director 
of the State Merchants' Association, which was 
organized in 1907 and of which he was the first 
president.

Mr. Kester married at Midcanon, Montana, December 8, 
1895, Estella Wantz, who was born in Indiana, a 
daughter of James P. Wantz, who came with his family 
to Montana in 1882, being a pioneer settler of the 
state.  Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Kester: Estella Ruth, born at Great Falls, March 8, 
1906 and Wilhelmina Katherine, born at Great Falls, 
September 1, 1908.  Mr. and Mrs. Kester have a pleasant 
home at 505 Fourth Avenue North, it being an abode of 
plenty, comfort and peace.