Milton F. Hester

MILTON F. HESTER, one of the early settlers of Marion County, now living on the edge of Centralia, came to Illinois in the spring of 1839, and during the fifty-five years which have since passed has always resided in this locality. He has witnessed the growth and development of the county, and has watched with interest its progress and advancement. In the work of public improvement he has ever borne his part, and his name is inseparably connected with the record of its upbuilding.

Mr. Hester was bom in Clark County, Ind., June 4, 1813, and was the eleventh in order of birth in a family of twelve children, whose parents were John M. and Susanna Hester. Both were natives of Germany, and from the Keystone State emigrated to Kentucky, thence to Indiana.

Our subject was reared to manhood in Clark County, and in the common schools of the neighborhood received but a limited education, for the privileges of that day were meagre.

At length he determined to seek a home in Illinois, and in the spring of 1839 came to Marion County, as before stated. In the autumn of the following year, Mr. Hester was united in marriage with Miss Christina Copple, and they began their domestic life upon a farm which is still his home. The city of Centralia had not then sprung into existence, and he had to go to market at St. Louis. When he reached this county he had only $8.62 in money, and after the expenses of the wedding ceremony were met, his cash capital consisted of only $5.25. This he spent in purchasing provisions for the new home. The young couple experienced many of the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life, but by perseverance overcame their trials.

Mr. Hester first purchased a claim for which he promised to pay $200. Later he bought other land from time to time, until he became owner of over six hundred acres. He still has about a quarter-section just south of Centralia and almost an entire section near Sandoval.

By their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hester became the parents of eight children:

1. David N.;
2. Julia, who was married and died leaving a son, Milton Young, now of Salem;
3. William A., a resident of Jefferson County;
4. John, of Montgomery County, Kan.;
5. Sarah E., wife of Harvey Young, of Marion County;
6. Isaac, who is living in Arizona;
7. Marion, of Clinton County; and
8. Mary, who completes the family.

For his second wife. our subject chose Martha Johnson, by whom he had four children:

1. Ella M.;
2. Carrie B., wife of Mark Anthony, of Streator, ILL.;
3. U. A. V.; and
4. Lillian, who is a teacher in Mendota, ILL., and a graduate of the State Normal School of Normal.

The mother of this family died in the winter of 1884. The eldest son was a cavalryman during the late war and served for four years.

In his political views, Mr. Hester was in early life an old-line Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. William Henry Harrison. He became a Republican in 1856, and his last vote was cast for Gen. Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tippecanoe hero.

He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has held membership for nearly seventy years. He is a conscientious Christian gentleman, and his honorable, upright life has won him the high regard of all.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 353 - 354
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer