As I have lived to see seven generations of our kindred, and personally have learned many items of interest from those who have passed away; and since no one else (so far as I know) of our numerous kindred has seemed to be able or willing to undertake the labor and expense of tracing the families and recording in some substantial form the information, for present and succeeding generations, at the suggestion and earnest request of some, I have undertaken the task. This task seems "herculean" in itself, but more so even to one who being a plain, hard working farmer, and well advanced in years when it was begun.
The immediate occasion of this effort was the correspondence with Hon. Melville C. Hester, of Los Angeles, Cal., growing out of the appearance of the picture and obituary notice of my eldest brother, John S. Hester, in the Western Christian Advocate, whose death took place February 17, 1901.
My real purpose has been to know our family history, the character of our people, and to place on record a volume to which succeeding generations may go and learn their ancestry.
For that purpose I shall deposit a volume in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., and in the State Libraries of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and New York, and also in the Pioneer Fire Lands Historical Library at Norwalk Ohio, and in the Library of the O.W. University at Delaware, Ohio.
We hereby wish to express our sincere thanks to the Hon. M. C. Hester, of Los Angeles, Cal.; to the late George Hester, Esq., of Cleveland, Ohio; to herman M. Smiley, of Lisbon, Ohio; to Geo. C. Howenstein, of Carthage, Mo.; to Capt. John M. McCoy, of Dallas, Texas, and to our daughter, Catharine E. Booth, of Delaware, Ohio, who has been an inspiration as well as a valuable adviser and aid in this effort; and to all others, who by their words of encouragement and material aid in gathering these records, have contributed to this work. The sketch and list of the descendants of Martin Mason, Sr., who was a prisoner of war, was furnished by Lewis H. Mason, of Ashland, Ohio, and is indexed under the name of Mason.
Undoubtedly mistakes will be discovered. Many times I have received conflicting dates of the same event, in several instances from the same person. At best it would seem impossible to make a complete record and to gather the data of all who are connected with these families which traces through so many generations. But the kindred may be assured that no small pains have been taken to secure as reliable and as accurate a record as could be made under existing circumstances. In the abundance of material furnished it is evident some one is needed to be the final judge of what should be admitted for publication. With no wish to be arbitrary and with deep interest in all concerned, I have made the necessary decision with all the fairness possible and have endeavored to do justly in every case.
The book has been as conveniently arranged as we could make it. Of over eight hundred names in the book, all are numbered in regular order and alphabetically indexed, so that they can be turned to at once. And there are also a "Hester" and a "Stough" tree giving the name of every descendant from the ancestors down for five generations, which alone is worth the price of the book to any of the kindred.
In scanning this history there is nothing to bring the blush of shame to our cheeks.
Nowhere have I learned that any member of these families has ever been convicted of any crime or dishonest act.
On the contrary the proof is abundant that at all times all the members of these families have been honest, industrious, sober, patriotic people.
Many of them have been leaders in religious, patriotic, and good works for their fellow men; and many of them being devoted ministers and members of the Methodist, Prebyterian, Baptist, Quaker, and other Protestant churches.
not been for this work. Some of them have passed into the life We should have known nothing of many of these in this world had it beyond, where it is hoped that all who remain may meet and greet each other and them throughout the eternal ages.
M.M. Hester
Norwalk, Ohio, 1905.
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