Santa
Clara County
Biographies
NATHAN L. LESTER
NATHAN
L. LESTER. In a county
noted for its picturesque and attractive homesteads mention belongs to the
pleasant place that for years was the scene of Mr. Lester’s activities and
since his death has continued to be the abode of his family. The modern and substantial residence, erected
in 1894, is surrounded by well-kept grounds, extending
back into a long stretch of orchard, for the larger part of the one hundred
acres comprising the homestead is under cultivation to fruit. The grounds and trees, no less than the house
itself, bespeak the intelligent care and thrift of the owner, and indicate to
the passer-by that the family possesses culture and wise management.
Mr. Lester was born at Ledyard,
Conn., on New Year’s day of 1843, being a son of Isaac
and Mary Lester, lifelong residents of Connecticut. In a family comprising nine sons and two
daughters, Nathan L., was the second son.
Nothing occurred to mark with especial interest the uneventful days of
his boyhood, which were spent in farm work during the summer and in the
schoolroom during the winter months. In
1861 he came for the first time to California, traveling via the oceans and
Isthmus and settling in Napa county, where he engaged
in wheat raising for seven years. At the
expiration of that time he returned to the east and settled on a farm in
Connecticut, where he engaged in tilling the soil until 1883. During that year he again came to the Pacific
coast, this time settling in Santa Clara county, where he bought the present
homestead on Lincoln avenue [sic], in the
Willows. When the growing of fruit began
to engage the attention of residents in the county, he was among the first to
experiment with varieties to ascertain which were best
suited to the soil and climate.
Thirty-one acres were planted in prunes, which venture was
successful. The occupation of
horticulture proved both fascinating and profitable. Like others, he had seasons of financial
depression when crops were small or prices low, but in the main the industry
brought him success, being the source of a gratifying income each year. His attention was given closely to the
management of his place, and, aside from voting the Republican ticket and
assisting in the maintenance of the Congregational Church,
he had no interests outside of his home.
While in the midst of active duties he met with an accidental
death. In June of 1900, while building a
dryer, he fell from a ladder and received injuries that resulted in death,
three days later, on the 27th of that month.
The marriage of Mr. Lester occurred
in Ledyard, Conn., in 1871, on the 24th of May, and united him with Miss Sarah
E. Spicer, who was born in that town August 3, 1847, being a daughter of Hon.
Edmund Spicer, and a granddaughter of John Spicer, both natives of
Connecticut. Her father, who followed
the occupations of school teacher, farmer and merchant, held many positions of
trust and honor. For years he was a member
of the school board of his district, from 1867 until his death held the office
of postmaster, for seven years served as selectman, from 1836 until 1851 held
the office of county clerk, from 1853 until 1865 officiated as county
treasurer, in 1849 was elected to represent his district in the state
legislature, in 1862 was a candidate for the state senate, and for twelve
years, beginning in 1855, served as judge of the probate court. During early life he served as captain of a
rifle company, and ever afterward was known as Captain Spicer. On the organization of the Ledyard Library
Association he became one of its charter members and served as its secretary
for eighteen successive years, retiring in 1885. In 1867 he was elected treasurer and
librarian, in which capacities he continued to serve until his death in
1890. In the work of the Congregational
Church he was active and continued to be a constant contributor to its support
until his death. November 16, 1836, he
was united in marriage with Bethiah W. Avery, who was
born in Connecticut. To the union of
Nathan L. Lester and Sarah E. Spicer there were born seven children, namely:
Alice L., Nathan L., William W., Sarah E. (deceased), George S., Frederick E.,
and Hazel B. The mother and children
remain on the homestead and are prominent in the social and church activities
of their community, by their honorable lives and keen, intelligent interest in
affairs of importance adding prestige to the name of the late Nathan L. Lester.
Transcribed by
Doralisa Palomares.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1132-1135. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Doralisa Palomares.