Rev. William H. Lester and Julia Elizabeth Hand

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Husband Rev. William H. Lester ¹

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         Father: Richard Lester (1796-1879) 1
         Mother: Sarah F. Havens (      -Abt 1843) 1

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       Marriage: Aug 1854 2

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Wife Julia Elizabeth Hand ²

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           Born: Abt 1830
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         Father: Thomas B. Hand (      -1872) 2
         Mother: Harriet R. [Unk] (      -1888) 2

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Children

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1 M William Hand Lester ³

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         Spouse: Sarah M. Anderson (      -1884) 2

         Spouse: Carrie M. Fields (      -      ) 2
           Marr: 1887 2

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2 M Nathaniel Talmage Lester ²

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3 F Hadassah Elizabeth Lester ²

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General Notes: Husband - Rev. William H. Lester

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After the usual studies of the common school, a year of classical study under his pastor, Rev. Amzi Francis, and another at Southampton Academy, he entered Amherst College, Massachusetts, in the autumn of 1845. He was graduated from that institution in 1849, after which he taught in the academy at Southampton for two years, before commencing his theological studies. He entered Princeton Seminary in 1851, and was there a student until 1854, having been licensed to preach in January of that year by the Presbytery of Albany. A visit in the spring following, by invitation, to the Church of West Alexander, Pennsylvania, soon after the resignation of Rev. John McCluskey, D. D., closing a pastorate of twenty-six years, resulted in a unanimous call to Mr. Lester by that church to become its pastor. Accepting this call, he was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Washington the following October, and thus commenced a relation which continued in happiness and usefulness for forty years or more. In the interval between the call and installation, in August, 1854, the young minister was married.

"The writer of this sketch is quite familiar with the life-work of Dr. Lester as the pastor of an important church, and quite as familiar with the sensitive modesty which keeps him from public proclamation of what he has done for the Master. He has behind him a record of nearly four decades [1893] of wise, earnest evangelical efficient service, among a people of intelligent appreciation, with and for whom he labors both in and out of the pulpit in unabated strength. Coming to them without ministerial experience, at a time of division and bitterness incident to the agitation of the slavery question; when the church, whose care he assumed-itself divided by the line which separated the free from the slave States of the Union-was depleted by the formation of a rival organization, he was confronted with discouragements to be overcome only by the utmost fidelity, guided by the greatest prudence and patient endurance, under the stimulus of a holy consecration to Christ. This church like many others has suffered largely from emigration. Many years ago the drift was to the newly settled parts of the West. In later years it has been to the large towns and cities. The academy, also, which had flourished for many years under his predecessor's oversight, had come to a crisis of depression, and, under the advanced methods, and spirit of the times, demanded a different management. It is no wonder, therefore, that the first year of the pastorate was burdened with the serious question of continuance. But this question was settled by the Lord, by a gracious outpouring of the Spirit upon the church, which united and encouraged the people, and brought seventy converts to the Lord's table, two of whom became ministers, and several ruling elders. Another work of Divine power in 1861 added greatly to the membership, as well as to the beneficence and praying force of the church. Other special ingatherings occurred in 1869, 1875 and 1889. But the steady progress which comes from the Divine blessing upon thorough and steady Gospel preaching and faithful pastoral work has been a distinctive feature of this church in these years. There have not been more than two or three communion seasons without additions to the membership. The Sabbath-school, prayer-meetings, pastoral visitations, and all the accustomed agencies have been kept up, and happy pastoral relations, a united people, and church strength have been the fruits. While emigration has annually removed families and members in considerable numbers to other places and churches, the loss has found its compensation in the wide diffusion of benefits from the common center. In no direction has the influence of this beloved pastor been greater than in the introduction of young men into the ministry, not only during the few years of the academy's continuance after his settlement, but ever since, as occasion offered, by private instruction. Fifteen ministers, including two foreign missionaries, have gone forth from the pastorate into the work of the Lord, to extend and perpetuate its power.
During all these years Dr. Lester has been regarded by ministerial brethren, and by the churches, as one of the active and reliable of the members of the Presbytery of Washington, ever vigilant and efficient in the management of ecclesiastical affairs." [CBRWC, 181]

1 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 180.

2 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 181.

3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 181, 952.