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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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LESTER, WILSON, farmer; Sec. 35; P. O. Stone’s Prairie. He is the third child and oldest son of seven children of Williams D. and Evaline (Gooding) Lester; was born in Adams county Oct. 4, 1854. He was reared on the farm, and his educational opportunities limited to the common schools. He married Clara A. Benson, April 9, 1876, daughter of Pleasant C. and Catherine (Parks) Benson. Her father is a native of North Carolina, and her mother of Pike county, Ill. She was born in Adams county, May 7, 1857. Their union is blessed with one child, Frances Daisy, born July 24, 1877. Mrs. Lester is the only daughter, and has but one brother, Stephen Benson. They went to Kansas in the summer of 1876, intending to settle there, but returned to Adams county that fall.

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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois

View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies

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