page 219
John L. LESTER, farmer and teacher, of Mount Vernon Township, Lawrence Co., Mo., and a native of the county, was born September 2, 1851. He is a son of Daniel and Mary C. (DUNNING) LESTER, and was educated in the schools of Lawrence County, and began teaching at the age of nineteen years. In 1876 he was married to Miss Ann J. FAIRBURN, who was born in Wapello County, Iowa, October 12, 1854, a daughter of Rev. Moses FAIRBURN. Immediately after their marriage they located on their present farm of 160 acres, but owned nothing but their team and household furniture. His farm is well improved and furnished with good substantial buildings; the eighty acres in the prairie are enclosed by a good hedge fence, and the eighty acres in the timber are fenced with wire and rails. Mr. Lester is one of the leading teachers of Lawrence County, and is a young man of energy and ability, with a bright future before him. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Return to Lawrence County Biographies