George Alfred Lester
Planting Roots State-Side
George was part of the first Lester generation to immigrated to the United States from London where he was born. He settled in Lewistown, IL after first living briefly new Ann Arbor, MI. George made several trips between London, Canada and the United States during his lifetime. On one of the trips to London, he married Esther Sarah Stevens on October 30, 1853 in London.
Esther was the only daughter and youngest child of John and Ann (Waite) Stevens and had twelve brothers whose names are unknown. While living in London, she was a member of the St. James Cathedral Choir.
George and Esther settled near Ann Arbor in 1854. Their first child, Martha Ann was born there in September of that year. The family returned to London where their second daughter, Emily, was born in 1856. They then came back to Michigan where their next two children, Alice Eliza and John Alfred, were born in 1858 and 1861, respectively. The growing family then moved to and settled in Lewistown, IL where their last child, Esther Sarah, was born in 1869.
It is unclear as to why the George immigrated to the United States and also how he picked Lewistown as is destination.
George took up carpentry for his livelihood. The three daughters all married men whose given names were 'Will'. Emily married Will Francis, Alice married Will Black and Esther married Will Morlock.
George died September 3, 1903 and his wife Esther died January 11, 1917. They are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown, IL.
Esther was the only daughter and youngest child of John and Ann (Waite) Stevens and had twelve brothers whose names are unknown. While living in London, she was a member of the St. James Cathedral Choir.
George and Esther settled near Ann Arbor in 1854. Their first child, Martha Ann was born there in September of that year. The family returned to London where their second daughter, Emily, was born in 1856. They then came back to Michigan where their next two children, Alice Eliza and John Alfred, were born in 1858 and 1861, respectively. The growing family then moved to and settled in Lewistown, IL where their last child, Esther Sarah, was born in 1869.
It is unclear as to why the George immigrated to the United States and also how he picked Lewistown as is destination.
George took up carpentry for his livelihood. The three daughters all married men whose given names were 'Will'. Emily married Will Francis, Alice married Will Black and Esther married Will Morlock.
George died September 3, 1903 and his wife Esther died January 11, 1917. They are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown, IL.