[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

Jesse E. Hester (1941)

HESTER, NEWLIN, HOLADAY, HOCKETT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 6/4/2007 at 19:12:48

Earlham Library Obituary Collection
Earlham, Iowa
June 1941

OBITUARY

Jesse E. Hester, the oldest of nine children, was born of Thomas C. and Emeline (Newlin) Hester, in Edgar county, Illinois, January 24th, 1869. He died June 23rd, 1941, at the Methodist hospital, Des Moines, his age being 72 years, and five months.

One of Jesse's ancestors came to America with William Penn about 1693 and settled in Pennsylvania. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents came from North Carolina to Illinois in the early part of the nineteenth century and were active in the development of a pioneer community, being largely engaged in agriculture pursuits.

Jesse attended the grade school and Friend's Academy at Vermilion Grove, Illinois. He also completed a business course at Terre Haute, Indiana.

He started his farming career as a buyer and seller of livestock in cooperation with his father. Soon after he married Miss Anna Holaday in June, 1894, they moved to a farm on the Illinois-Indiana line. In February, 1900, they bought a farm two miles west of Earlham. In March of that year his wife died leaving three children: Ethel, Thomas and Ralph. Thomas died in 1933 in Texas. Ethel and Ralph live in California.

For four years Jesse farmed alone. During this period many of his neighbors gave him great kindness and help which he always remembered with much appreciation.

In August, 1904, Jesse married Miss Olive M. Hockett of Earlham. To this union were born five children: Russell, Wilma, Chalmers, Herschel and Howard. Wilma and Howard have been living in California; Russell, Chalmers and Herschel near their parents' home.

Jesse was always interested and active in religious, educational and civic affairs of his home community. By precept he tried to inculcate in others and by example to practice the teachings of the Friends church of which he was a member. He held various official positions in the church and for many years was an elder thereof.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, seven children, ten grandchildren, three brothers, and five sisters, and many other relatives and friends.

He made this world a happier place for his loved ones and left us saying, "Death is sweet when one is ready to die."

Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Friends church. Rev. Leonard Hall was in charge. Burial was made at the Earlham cemetery.


 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

[ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]