My Genealogy Hound

John Hester, farmer, is the fifth of seven children born to the marriage of Stephen and Sarah (Sears) Hester, and was born in North Carolina, July 29, 1817. The father married in his native State (North Carolina), and in 1824 came to Tennessee, locating in Henry County, where he raised his family, and continued to reside until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years old. His wife was born in North Carolina, and died in Henry County, at the age of seventy. Our subject began doing for himself at the age of twenty-one, and has made farming his chief occupation through life. He owns 140 acres of land, on which he cultivates tobacco, and raises stock to a considerable extent, but gives the most of his attention to raising the cereals. He has been married four times, the first time, March 3, 1842, to Harriett J. Turner, who bore him two children: Amanda and Newton J. She died May 8, 1847, and August 9 of the same year he married Malinda E. Yarbrough, who died July 9, 1848, having borne one son, who died in infancy. The third marriage occurred May 8, 1850, to Elizabeth E. Simmons. To them were born eight children, six of whom are living; James R., Sarah F., Mariman, Benjamin F., George N. and Mary Jane. The mother of this family was born near Louisville, Ky., February 2, 1821, and died April 16, 1871. Mr. Hester married Louisa A. Morgan, who was born December 27, 1832, and is the mother of one daughter— Ida Lou. Mr. Hester is a Democrat and Mason, and he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.