Myron Hester, the well known undertaker at Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Norwich township, Huron county, Ohio, January 30, 1842, the second in a family of ten children born to Samuel and Emily (Barnum) Hester, of whom three died in infancy, the others being Martha, widow of Thomas Banks, and residing at Wellsville, Mo.; Myron, whose name opens this paragraph; Mary, who died in 1868; James, in Oklahoma; Albert W., in Chicago; Emma, wife of William Cherry, of Cleveland, and Frank S., a jeweler of Lawrence. Kans.

Samuel Hester, also a native of Huron county, Ohio, was the son of a Virginian, was reared a farmer, but later became a merchant, a dealer in stock and a lumber-man, and died in Chicago, Ill., at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was of the same ancestry as the famous Phineas T. Barnum, and died at Paxton, Ill., aged fifty-six.

Myron Hester was reared a farmer and attended school until sixteen years of age, and then for two years attended the college at Oberlin. He acquired some experience in his father’s general store, and first engaged in merchandising at Waterloo, Ind., where he remained three years, he next followed the same business at Angola one year, then at Nashville, Mich., five years, and in 1872 came to Grand Rapids, and here his first work was as a carpenter. He had never learned this trade, but he was possessed of a natural genius for mechanics and was very handy with tools. For ten years he was next employed by W. C. Denison, in the implement trade, and this he learned in all its details. Being now desirous of engaging in business for himself, he formed a partnership with Samuel Fox, with whom he conducted the same class of business for seven years, when he sold out to his partner, united with his son, Carl S., and formed the Hester Machine company, dealing in mill supplies, etc., for three years, when they sold out to Studley & Berkley and Mr. Hester engaged in his present business.

Mr. Hester was united in marriage February 23, 1863, with Miss Catharine Quackenbush, but this lady was called from earth in the spring of 1890, leaving three children, viz: Della, wife of Peter B. Schravsend, a civil engineer, and their union has been blessed with one child, Hester; Carl S., formerly in business with his father, is now with the Macey company; he married a daughter of Maj. Scranton, and has one daughter, Margaret; Cora is the wife of Frank Matheson, of Grand Rapids, who is also connected with the Macey company.

In politics Mr. Hester is a republican; fraternally , he is a member of Valley City lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M., and of chapter No. 7, at Grand Rapids. His religious belief rest with Christian Scientists, in the support of which he is very enthusiastic, and can give excellent reasons for the faith that is in him.

Mr. Hester is now married to Georgie Cornwell, and with her occupies a most pleasant home at No. 169 Cass Avenue, while his office is at No. 169 Ottawa street. He has made his own through life, and maintains a business reputation free from stain, and enjoys the unlimited confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens of Grand Rapids, and, indeed, the respect of everybody where he has ever lived.