OHIO STATEWIDE FILES OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List Issue 43 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 01 : Issue 43 -------------------------------- From: "Ralph W. Cokonougher" Subject: Hester Genealogy by M. Hester, 1752-1905, pp. 26-36. Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:53:37 -0000 Pages (26) through (36). "HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF THE DESCENDENTS OF JOHN LAWRENCE HESTER AND GODFREY STOUGH. 1752 - 1905." Compiled by Martin M. Hester in 1905 at Norwalk, Ohio. **************** No. 10. (Photograph of John Hester, Jr.) John Hester, Jr., being the third generation, was the second son of John Hester, Sr. He was born May 23, 1791, in Greene county, Pa. In 1818 he was married to Hannah Miller; after her death, which occurred in 1827, he married her sister, Elizabeth Miller. During the war of 1812, his older brother, Martin, who was married and had a family of small children to be cared for, was drafted. John, who was unmarried at that time, very kindly volunteered to go in his stead. He was with the army when they cut the road from Fremont, O., to Fort Meigs, (Perrysburg) O., through very heavy timber, in the winter season. They had to work much of the time in the water knee deep. He and his family lived in Columbiana county, O., till about 1857, when they removed to Williams county, where he lived and died in 1879, aged 88. About 1866 he became entirely blind. Parents and children are and have been active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Page (26). ***************************** The children of John and Hannah (Miller) Hester, being the fourth generation, were: 50. JACOB M., b. May 23, 1819; m. Catherine A. Shields, October 16, 1850. She d. July 28, 1860; had three children. Second m. Abigail Perkins. She d. 1903; had three children. He is living at Bryan, O. 51. JESSE, b. September 30, 1820; m. Hannah Ellen Dredge, October 12, 1850. She d. June 15, 1902. He d. January 24, 1899, a. 78. Had four children. 52. LYDIA, b. April 6, 1822; m. Samuel Bowman, May 4, 1841. He was b. February 4, 1817; d. January 28, 1897, a. 80. Had three children. 53. RACHEL, b. November 24, 1823; unm.; d. November 4, 1879, a. 56. 54. ELIZABETH, b. February 19, 1826; m. Benjamin Hawley, October 15, 1850. He d.; had three children. The children of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Hester, being the third generation, were: 55. HANNAH, b. August 29, 1828; m. Jacob Richardson, March 11, 1847. He d. October 10, 1894. She d. April 5, 1879, a. 51; had four children. 56. PHOEBE A., b. 1830; m. Thomas Shankster, February 11, 1866; had three children. 57. GEORGE, b. December 1, 1831; m. Marietta Dennison, June 8, 1865; have three children. He d. suddenly April 19, 1905. 58. MARY ANN, b. January 9, 1833; d. September 28, 1847, a. 14. 59. JEMIMA REED, b. October 12, 1835; m. Reuben Cook Sheets, March, 1855. She d. January 21, 1902; had six children. 60. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, b. June 21, 1839; m. Mary J. Bierbower, February 13, 1875. He d. November 20, 1897, a. 58; had four children. 61. MARTHA MYRTELLA, b. January 21, 1843. 62. JOHN NEWTON, b. July 8, 1848; m. Ella Sweeney, May 21, 1888; have two children. Page (27). *************************** No. 11. Matthias Hester, third son of John, Sr., and Elizabeth (Mason) Hester, was born in Greene county, Pa., October 17, 1793. When he was fourteen years of age he removed with his parents to Columbiana county, O., remaining with them on the farm for several years, after which he served an apprenticeship of seven years at Salem, O., to learn the tailoring trade. He was so patient and submissive that his boss would go to bed and leave him at work till he would wake up, when he would say, "Now, Matthias, you can quit work and go to bed." After completing his apprenticeship he worked some years at his trade. In 1836 he removed to Mt. Union, O., and engaged in a general store. Later he laid out the town of Freedom in 1838. In 1850 he also laid out an addition to the town and called it Alliance. A.D. 1818, he married Susan W. Gaskill. They had ten children. In politics he was a Whig till the Republican party was formed, with which he identified himself. He was a staunch temperance man in principle and practice. Although raised a Lutheran, after his marriage he united with the Baptist Church at Salem, O., and later, in 1857, he became one of the most active members of the Disciple Church, till the time of his death, February 11, 1890, aged ninety-seven years. His honesty and integrity were never questioned. He was scrupulously exact and just in all his dealings. In disposition he was quiet and retiring. He gave $1,000 toward a building for a Disciple College at Alliance, which is now in the care of the Methodist Church and is called Mount Union College. Children of Matthias and Susan (Gaskill) Hester being the fourth generation, are: 63. DAVID GASKILL, b. May 29, 1821; m. Sarah Fox. She d.; have three children. 64. JOHN NEWTON, b. September 11, 1822; d. February 27, 1826, a. 4. 65. SARAH ROSELL, b. December 16, 1824; m. Elisha Teeters, July 14, 1870. He d. Lived in Alliance, O. 66. ELIZA MASOM, b. October 27, 1827; m. L. L. Arney, February 15, 1869. He d. Page (28). ************************ 67. HENRY NEWTON, b. September 26, 1829; m. Malinda Senter. He d. 1869; had two childen. 68. GEORGE WASHINGTON, b. March 20, 1833; d. May 30, 1845; a. 12. 69. CHARLES MASON, b. May 12, 1836; m. Hulda Stanley, Septmber 14, 1875; live in Alliance, O. 70. REBECCA WILLIAMS, b. June 24, 1839; d. November 8, 1863, a. 24. 71. THOMAS ROZELL, b. August 5, 1851; m. Rosa Gilbert. She d. 1902; had two children. 72. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, b. June 12, 1843; d. October, 1843. No. 12. (Photograph of Elizabeth (Hester) Biddinger.) Page (29). ************************** Elizabeth Hester Biddinger was a most lovely Christian lady. She was so cheerful and cordial in her manner that she made friends of all with whom she came in contact. "Her husband praiseth her and her children rise up and call her blessed." And her Heavenly Father fulfilled His promise to her: "with long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation." Children of Phillip and Elizabeth (Hester) Biddinger, being the fourth generation, were: 73. HANNAH, b. August 27, 1821; m. Jas. G. Young, March 19, 1844. He was b. in Connelsville, O., October 21, 1820; d. August 17, 1889, a. 69. She d. April 12, 1900, a. 79; d. at Knoxville, Ia. He was a druggist. 74. SARAH, b. November 8, 1826; m. J. J. Fast, August 10, 1848. He was b. in Ashland county, O., November 26, 1826; d. May 12, 1897. She d. September 18, 1903, a. 77. He was a farmer. No. 14. Children of Geo. and Mary (Hester) Leinard, being the fourth generation, were: 75. HARRIET REBEECCA, b. June 12, 1821; d. February 16, 1857, a. 36; unm. 76. ELIZABETH, b. March 26, 1823; m. David Myers; lives in Ashland county, O. 77. JOHN, b. April 30, 1825; d. January 14, 1849. 78. HANNAH, b. April 11, 1828; d. January 30, 1849. 79. MARTIN, b. May 10, 1830; m. Hester Mason; lives in Fayette, Fulton county, O. 80. JESSE, b. March 4, 1832; m. Sarah A. Mason; lives in Bryan, Williams county, O. 81. SARAH, b. September 30, 1834; m. John Phillip; lives at Montpelier, Hardin county, O. 82. AARON, b. October 18, 1836; d. February 14, 1894, a. 13. 83. MARY, b. July 23, 1839; m. John Lattaner; lives at Montpelier, O. Page (30). *********************** No. 16. John Hinds and wife were earnest Christian people, and active members of the Baptist Church. Children of John and Hannah (Hester) Hinds, being the fourth generation, were: 84. JOHN HESTER, b. May 15, 1830; m. Sophia Behner, August 11, 1852. 85. CORNELIUS MCGUIRE, b. August 28, 1833; m. Mary Elizabeth Tennant, October 18, 1868. 86. ZENAS MATTHIAS, b. November 15, 1841; enlisted in 12th Ind. V. I., August 9, 1862; d. in Millen prison, Ga., November 4, 1864. 87. MARY M., b. June 19, 1843; m. Jefferson Beatty, October 8, 1861. He d. February 6, 1902. 88. BELINDA M., b. February 10, 1846; m. Joseph Hanson, November 7, 1867. He was b. March 24, 1843. No. 17 Rev. Henry Van Deman, who was a son of John and Mary (Hester) Van Deman, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio with his father's family in 1804, and settled at Chillicothe, whence he came to Delaware in 1824. He graduated at Athens University, and having prepared for the ministry, was ordained at West Union, Adams county. On coming to Delaware, O., he assumed pastoral charge of the Presbyterian congregations of Delaware, Radnor, and Liberty, and continued pastor of the first named congregation till 1860, a period of over thirty-seven years. He stood high in his profession and his pastoral labors were crowned with great success. He died in 1872, aged 74 years. Descendants of Henry and Sarah (Darlington) Van Deman, being the fourth generation, are: 89. ELIZA, b. 1825; unm.; lives in Delaware, O. 90. SARAH WILSON, b. October 6,1827; m. Israel Buck, 1848. He d. August 31, 1855. She d. June, 1904. 91. DR. JOSEPH, b. 1829; d. 1902. 92. JOHN D., b. 1832; m. Lydia Runkel, of West Liberty, O.; lives in Delaware, O. 93. EMILY, b. 1834; unm. (Page 31). *********************** 94. CAREY, unm.; d. 95. ADDIE, unm.; d. 96. ANGELINE, m. Rev. Silas B. Maltbie, a Methodist minister. She d. 97. WILLIE L. d. July 11, 1846; m. Roma Baldwin. 98. CATHARINE AMANDA, d. No. 20 Children of Mathias Van Deman, who lived and died at Washington C. H.; O.: 99. Daughter. 100. Daughter. 101. John, m. Miss Robinson, had eight children. No. 21 Children of Charles Van Deman, who lived in Ross county, O.: 102. One son d. just after graduating. 103. Another son living in Jacksonville, Fla. No. 22 Children of Joseph Van Deman: 104. ESTHER, teacher in Woman's College of Baltimore, Md. 105. ELIZABETH, m. McLaughlin. No. 23 Child of John Van Deman, being the fourth generation, is: 106. One son, who is a Baptist minister at Indianapolis, Ind. Page (32). ***************************** No. 26. (Photograph of Rev. George Knight Hester.) Page (33). ***************************** (Photograph of Mrs. Berne Briggs Hester.) Page (34). ***************************** Rev. George Knight Hester, eldest son of Matthias and Susannah (Huckleberry) Hester, was born near Charlestown, Ind., September 26, 1794. The following sketch of his ministerial life was written by himself and furnished for this book by his son, the Rev. Francis Asbury Hester, of Indianapolis, Ind.: "I became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, as a member on trial, in the fall of the year 1809, when I was little past my fifteenth year. This was under the ministry of Rev. Sela Pain, one of the most pious and devout men I ever knew. It was some time after this before I had obtained a sense of saving mercy. Soon after this my mind became impressed with the necessity of preparing for the ministry. Had circumstances favored me with the means of obtaining a scientific education, how gladly would I have embraced the opportunity. For want of proper advice, I deferred this matter for a number of years. In September, 1818, I preached my first sermon at Springville, Ind., from these words, "Be ye reconciled unto God." I spoke about forty-five minutes with no small degree of liberty. It was the first time I ever atempted to speak in public, never having ventured before this to speak even in the classroom or love feast meeting. It occasioned as much surprise to my friends as though a ship had sailed on dry land. A recommendation was immediately granted me from my class for license to preach, but I was prevented from attending the ensuing quarterly meeting by the sickness of my father. A permit was given me by the church to exercise my gift as a preacher until the closing quarterly meeting of the circuit. This, I thought, was unwarranted by the discipline of the church, so I refused to attempt to speak anywhere, except in my class, and then but seldom, until the annual examination in 1819. At that time I was first formally licensed to preach. In the fall of 1820 I was recommended to the traveling connection and was appointed to Mt. Sterling circuit in Crawford county. This was one of the most gloomy regions in the state. The circuit embraced a very poor and broken portion of the country. Many of the people were destitute of the necessities of life, and, of course, I had to share with them in their poverty and suffering. On one occasion I remember having visited a Page (35). ******************************* family, preached and remained with them twenty-four hours, and then leaving without breaking my fast, for the simple reason that they had nothing for themselves. The head of the family had gone a long distance to procure breadstuff but failed to return while I was there. This was a four weeks circuit. The number of my attempts to preach during this year must have averaged at least one per day. I traveled this year about three thousand miles and received for my entire services a few pounds of sugar for my family and nothing more. "In 1821 I was appointed to Flat Rock circuit. This was a four weeks circuit. The whole amount of quarterage received this year in money and produce was $29. "During 1822 and 1823 I was on a Blue River circuit. This was a six weeks circuit, embracing a very extensive territory. My quarterage this year amounted to about $39. "My fourth appointment was back to old Mt. Sterling circuit. There I had abundance of labor and received but little support. My fifth appointment was to Corydon and my sixth to Madison circuit. This ended my first period in the itinerancy. My horse having died this year, I was set afoot without means to purchase another. In this situation I applied to Conference for a location, which was granted. The whole amount of quarterage received by me during those six years was about $258. "After a location of nine years I re-entered the traveling work in 1835 and was appointed to the following circuits: Lexington, Vernon, Lexington again, Salem, Columbus and Greenville. At the close of this year in 1841 I again located and so remained until 1849. I was appointed that year to White Creek circuit and with its close ended my itinerant career." He died September 20, 1874, aged eighty. Beene (Briggs) Hester, wife of Rev. George Knight Hester, was one of the noble pioneer women of southern Indiana in her day. Four of her sons and eight of her grandsons are or have been honored ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Children of George Knight and Beene (Briggs) Hester, being the fourth generation, were: 110. GEO. KNIGHT, b. December 16, 1820; d. September 5, 1823. Page (36). ************************** _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- End of OH-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest V01 Issue #43 ******************************************