"Col. William H. Lester died last Wednesday morning following a stroke of paralysis at his home at Ithaca, aged 75 years. The funeral was held Friday afternoon, with prayer at the house followed by services at the A.M.E. Zion church. Rev. Farley Fisher officiated, assisted by Bishop Blackwell, of Philadelphia, who was a close friend of Col. Lester....
Col. Lester was for many years a resident of Dryden. Later he resided at Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, where he held government appointments. Since retiring from active work six years ago his home was at Ithaca. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
He leaves five children William H. Lester and John J. Lester, of Washington;
Mrs. Charles Moore, of Ithaca [Emma Virginia Lester Moore]; Mrs. Jennie Hornbeck, of Olean; and Miss Anna Lester, of Ithaca,"
"Col. William H. Lester: Died Suddenly Last Wednesday at His Home in Ithaca," Dryden Herald, February 19, 1913, 1.