Lester, Alexander

LESTER, DODDS, GRAHAM, CONN, BABB, SANDERS

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 12/3/2012 at 10:22:46

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

DEEP RIVER TOWNSHIP

Page 734-5

LESTER, ALEXANDER--Secton 30, P.O. Tilton. His parents were both natives of Scotland, but emigrated in early life to Ireland. Here they worked in the linen factories, and here Alexander was born, in the county of Down, the 15th of August, 1816. The father crossed the ocean with his family, and on the 8th of May, 1848, landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he plied his business of manufacturing ingrain carpets. In 1850 they moved to Oakland county, Michigan, where Alexander worked a rented farm for three years, and then moved to Mahaska county, Iowa, the 22d of February, 1855. He entered land and farmed for four years, when he traded for his present place, to which he moved March 13, 1859. Mr. Lester married the 13th of July, 1852, Mrs. Dodds, of Oakland county, Michigan, who was born in Ireland May 24, 1828. Her maiden name was Ann J. Graham, and she was married to her first husband on the 5th of April, 1845, and bore him two boys: William (born January 20, 1847, died within a few weeks) and William John (born July 10, 1848). Mr. and Mrs. Lester have five children: David (born April 14, 1853), Jane Eliza (born October 26, 1854; married November 14, 1872, to Samuel Conn), Martha Ellen (born January 25, 1857, married October 14, 1875, to Melford F. Babb), Margaret Elliot Green (born December 25, 1860, married April 22, 1880, to Charles E. Sanders) and Alexander (born March 15, 1863). Mr. Lester owns 80 acres of good farming land.