David Lester (1832 - 1918)

Born 14 Aug 1832 in Marcellus, Onondaga, New York, United States

Husband of Harriet E. (Clark) Lester — married 30 Nov 1861 in Lake, Ohio, United States

Descendants

Died 18 Oct 1918 at age 86 in Peoria, Peoria, Illinois, United States

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Biography

David Lester was a New Yorker.

Private David Lester served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: August 5, 1862
Side: USA
Regiment(s): Co. F, 105th Regiment, Ohio Infantry

David was born in 1832. He passed away in 1918.^[1]

Census

"United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6HZ-Z1Z : 11 June 2019), David Lester, 1870.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXV5-V38 : 20 August 2017), David Lester, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 151, sheet 400A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0235; FHL microfilm 1,254,235.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS4K-ZFH : accessed 7 July 2019), David Lester, Lacon township Lacon city, Marshall, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 48, sheet 5A, family 114, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,328.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK6L-JCR : accessed 7 July 2019), David Lester, Bennington, Marshall, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 42, sheet 2A, family 31, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 311; FHL microfilm 1,374,324.

Marriage

"Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDPN-L6Y : 10 February 2018), David Lester and Harriet E. Clark, 30 Nov 1861; citing Intended Marriage, Lake, Ohio, United States, p 380, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm.

Military

"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2M2Q-CPX : 11 March 2018), David Lester, 1907-1933; citing NARA microfilm publication M850 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,635,381.

Burial

Find A Grave: Memorial #69914885

Books

From The Story of a Thousand

Enlisted in to Company F of the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 5, 1862 at age 30 as Private. He was promoted to Corporal of Company F on December 31, 1862 and served in that role until the unit was mustered out. He was wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain on June 18, 1864. ^[2]

Soldiers and Patriots Biographical Album, Union Veterans Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1892, pages 16-17

David Lester, of Lacon, Illinois, whose history is here recorded, responded to the call for soldiers to defend his country’s flag, and enlisted as a private, August 5, 1863, in Co. F., 105th Ohio Vol. Inf., at Cleveland. These soldiers were forwarded to Covington, Ky., where they were uniformed and armed, and then ordered to Lexington, Ky. Mr. Lester with his comrades was in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, also followed Gen. Sherman in that far-famed March from Atlanta to the sea. In all this varied service, Mr. Lester fortunately received no very severe or dangerous wounds, although he had many close calls and narrow escapes, and is a life-long sufferer from disabilities consequent upon his military service. At one time while in the Kenesaw Mt. fight he was lying upon the ground, when a rebel shot passed under him, tore up the ground, shattered his haversack into fragments, tore his clothes into rags, injured his right arm and hand, also slightly wounded his left elbow. At another time he was standing with his blanket rolled up in the front of his body, when a bullet stuck the roll squarely in the center, but was unable to penetrate the thick mass the blanket made. But for this simple, yet important incident, it is almost certain that the life of one more brave soldier would have been sacrificed on the alter of his country; another place made vacant in the home circle, and a marked change made in the subsequent history of a family and neighborhood.

The 105th Ohio Regiment bravely endured much hard service, and many long forced marches, notable among the latter was one in the attempt to reach Snake river in time to participate in battle there, and again on the march from Lexington to Louisville. Some idea of the marching done by this regiment may be gained when it is stated by Mr. Lester that during his three years service he did not have one mile of transportation from the time he first went to the front, until he reached Washington on his return to be mustered out. The regiment received its muster-out papers at Washington, June 14, 1865, after participating in the Grand Review, and was discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Lester having the rank of Corporal.

David Lester was born in Onondago County, N. Y., August 5, 1832, and in early life learned the painters trade. At the age of seventeen years he left his native State for Ohio, where he lived a number of years, and afterward moved to Lacon, Ill., where he continued the business of painting, until, in hopes of bettering his condition, he went to Somerville, Tenn. in 1860 he went from Tennessee to Ohio, and from there entered the army as before stated. After the war he again located in Lacon, Ill., and resumed his business and continued it for twenty years. Then he went on a farm for five years, and subsequently, in 1890, engaged in the livery business with his sons, Charles F. and Myron, at Lacon. Mr. Lester has been frequently placed in positions of trust by the favor of his many friends. He was a tax collector for a number of years, and one of the city alderman for four years. He is prominent in G. A. R. circles, and a member of Lacon Post, in which he has held a number of offices. All these responsible positions tend to show the esteem in which Mr. Lester is held by his fellow citizens and many friends.

He was married December 31, 1862, to Harriet E. Clark, at Willoughby, Ohio, who was a native of that place. His wife and the two sons already mentioned constitute the family of Mr. Lester. He is a life-long Republican , active in all that concerns the good of his party and country, but not ambitious for office. As a man, a citizen and soldier, he has ever been ready to act up to the measure of his convictions, and bear his part of the responsibilities that devolve upon every intelligent and conscientious individual.

Newspapers

“Western Reserve Chronicle”, (Warren, Ohio), 1864-Jul-6, page 2

Casualties in the 105th O. V. I.

Camp in Line of Battle, at the Foot of Kinesaw Mountain, June 21, 1864. ...

David C. Whitstone, private, Co A, gun shot wound right thigh slight.

Ewd T Howard, private Co A, gun shot wound right thigh slight.

Alf Jaslett, Corp. Co C, gun shot wound neck slight.

Evan Lewis private Co. C, gun shot wound right breast dangerously.

Norman T. Brookins, private Co D, contusion righ arm slight.

Sylvester Ludlow, private Co E, right side slight.

E. A. King, private Co E, left arm slight.

James Chilos, corp. Co F, killed by a canister ball on the 18th.

David Lester, corp. Co F, contusion right hand and left side slight.

Arther Kelsey, private Co F, contusion right hand and head slight.

Zinori Engle, private Co H, gun shot wound, right hand slight.

John W. Nesbitt, private Co H, contusion left hip slight.

Manassas Miller, corp. Co H, contusion right thigh slight.

Andrew Geddis, corp. Co H, contusion left shoulder slight.

Alf G Rowe, private Co I, gun shot wound in the neck 14th died 16th.

Rodman M Jones, private Co I, contusion right shoulder slight.

Wm Bigelow, private Co K, contusion left hip slight.

Total 18, killed 1, died from wounds 1.

The health of the regiment is excellent, the spirit of the men could not be improved — “all is well.” Yours truly,

JOHN TURNBULL

Assistant Surgeon, 105th O. V I.

N. B. Since writing the above list, a rebel sharpshooter shot Charles F. Doolittle, private in Co F, gun shot wound, entering the right lung, exit left side abdomen — mortally. J. T.

”The Jeffersonian Democrat”, (Chardon, Ohio), 1864-Jul-8, page 3

”Casualties in the 105th Regiment.

Camp of the 105th O. V. I. near Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 20, 1864.

FRIEND CONVERSE: — I send you the names of the killed and wounded of the 105th Reg., O. V. I., on the 18th inst.:

Killed — Corp. Jarius Childs, Co. F.

Wounded — David Whetstone, Co. A, left thigh; Eleazer A. King, E, shoulder and head; Sylvester Ladow, E, stunned; Alfred Kelsey, F, hand; Corp. David Lester, F, hand and elbow; Corp. Andrew Gettys, H, stunned; Wm. Bigelow, K, thigh; Norman Brookins, D, slightly. Wounded on the 14th inst., Albert J. Rowe, I, (since died); Corp. Albert Jostaat, C, neck; Zimri Engle, H, hand.

Yours in haste,

M. L. MAYNARD

Co. E., 105th Reg., O. V. I.”

“The Lacon Home Journal”, (Lacon, Illinois), 24 Oct 1918, page 8

OBITUARY

DAVID LESTER

Again the grim reaper, Death, has laid his icy hand upon the heart of one who was for many years a familiar figure upon the streets of Lacon. Last Friday afternoon, October 18, 1918, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lester, in Peoria, occurred the death of David Lester, a long-time resident of Lacon but for four years past a resident of Peoria. Nearly ninety years of age, his passing was as quiet and peaceful as had been his long life.

David Lester was born in Marseilles, N. Y., on August 14, 1832, and was one of a family of nine children. At the age of 15 years, lured by the stories of the Great West and its opportunities, he left the parental home in New York and journeyed to Ohio on horseback, locating at Willoughby in the latter state. On December 1, 1861, he was married to Harriet Clark and the following August he answered his country's call and enlisted in the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he returned to his Ohio home and to his wife and young son, Frank, and soon thereafter they came to Illinois. Mr. Lester farmed for a few years and then came with his family to Lacon, where the family home was located for many years. For twenty years Mr. Lester was a faithful employe of the Brereton carriage works in the city, at the end of which time the deceased again took up farming as an avocation, the family moving to a farm north of town. On April 11, 1912, the wife and mother passed away and about three years later Mr. Lester went to Peoria to make, his home with his son, Frank and family.

David Lester was man who commanded the highest respect of everyone. Quiet, unassuming, honest, and honorable in his dealings with his fellow men, a good business man, a kind and loving husband and father, he was respected and admired by all with whom he came in contact and was a citizen who was an honor to any community.

The remains, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lester, were brought to Lacon last Sunday from Peoria, by way of Sparland. They were met at the train in Sparland by Mr. and Mrs. Myron Lester and daughter, Marion, and a large number of former neighbors and old-time friends; as well as an escort from the local G. A. R. post, were taken direct to the Lacon Cemetery, where brief funeral services were conducted by Rev. D. G. Davies, pastor of the local Congregational church. Interment was in the family lot beside the remains of the wife of the deceased. Two selections, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” and "It Is Well,” were sung by a quartet composed of Mrs. William Freeman, Miss Jessie Ramsey and Messrs. John Miller, and D. G. Davies. The G. A. R., of which Mr. Lester was a member, also conducted a short but impressive service. The pall bearers were W. H. Ford, W. G. Drosey, Felix Boylan, E. D. Richmond, F. A. Barr and G. Morey.

The near relatives left to mourn, he passing of this good man are two sons, Frank, of Peoria, and Myron, of this city, with their families, besides other relatives in the East.

Sources

1. ↑ "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQ2N-Y8L : 8 March 2018), David Lester, 18 Oct 1918; Public Board of Health, Archives, Springfield; FHL microfilm 1,544,380.
2. ↑ The Story of a Thousand by Albion Winegar Tourgée, Appendix, published by S. McGerald & Son, 1896