1914 Biography - John G. Hester

Hester, John Gilmer, extensive real estate operator, Shreveport, La., was born at Homer, La., July 4, 1881; son of William Davies and Sallie (Christian) Hester, the former of whom was a native of the state of Georgia and came to Louisiana with his parents about the year 1846. His active life was devoted to the avocation of a Louisiana planter, in which he was successful. He died at about the age of 60 years. The mother was a native of the state of Louisiana, and a daughter of John Gilmer and Susan Christian, whose ancestors were among the early settlers in Louisiana. John Gilmer Hester was the seventh of 8 children born to his parents. After attendance at the public schools he matriculated at Keatchie college, which institution he attended until within 1 year of graduation. Shortly following the completion of his education he became associated with W. C. Perrin in the real estate business at Shreveport, and continued in this connection until the death of Mr. Perrin some time later, when he succeeded to the business of the firm, which has since been conducted in the name of J. G. Hester, real estate operator, and has grown to the proportions of one of the largest private enterprises in Louisiana. At this time Mr. Hester is handling an addition to the city of Shreveport known as "Exposition Heights," in which he is selling lots. He has built more than 500 homes in the city of Shreveport, and for some years past has been one of the most active and potent factors in the rapid development and upbuilding of that handsome and progressive city. He is a member of Shreveport Lodge No. 122, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the board of directors of the Louisiana State fair, that has been of almost incalculable value to North Louisiana and adjoining states in recent years. He is a remarkably active, progressive and sagacious public-spirited citizen who believes in building a town on such model plans that the whole community may participate in the practical and enduring results. In 1903 Mr. Hester was married to Miss Julia Stoer, daughter of Charles Stoer, a native of the city of Bayou Sara, La. Mr. and Mrs. Hester have 2 daughters, viz.: Julia Grace and Virginia Ruth. As affording the rarest kind of a tribute to the integrity of an individual member of a business community, especially when the age of the subject is taken into consideration, the following extract is made from a recent issue of the Shreveport Times, referring to Mr. Hester, the subject of this sketch: "The popular idea that the world shuns a troubled man must be discarded since a meeting held yesterday afternoon of the creditors of J. G. Hester, real estate operator. The gathering, called for the purpose of arranging some form of settlement of Mr. Hester's financial difficulties, was attended by about 50 of the leading bankers, business men, and attorneys of Shreveport. The meeting was held at 4 o'clock, and resolved itself almost immediately into a remarkable expression of confidence in the business capacity of Mr. Hester and a generous tribute to the splendid part he has played in the development of Shreveport. Speaker after speaker declared Mr. Hester, was worthy of all confidence. Some expressed their willingness to waive their claims; others said their financial resources were at the disposal of Mr. Hester. The original proposition of Mr. Hester and his attorney, Mr. John D. Wilkinson, was to put the business of Mr. Hester in bankruptcy, but his creditors would not hear of it. In the end it was decided to have the business conducted by three trustees L. E. Thomas, president of the Continental bank; S. W. Smith, president of the American National hank, and Robert R. Emery, real estate and insurance man. A committee of 3 lawyers: Leon R. Smith, E.B. Herndon, Sr., and E. Wayles Browne, was appointed to draw up the necessary documents putting the trustee plan into effect. An agreement was reached unanimously by the creditors to have the trustees employ Mr. Hester, at a good salary, as sales agent. It was originally proposed to have Mr. Hester named as one of the trustees, but as he will have to transfer his property to the trustees, and would thus, be placed in the attitude of transferring it to himself, this idea had to be abandoned. A rough statement of the liabilities of Mr. Hester showed them to be $140,000. His assets, consisting of property, have an aggregate value of $180,000, or thereabout, if they are not disposed of at forced sale. Among those who paid tribute to Mr. Hester's great work as a progressive developer of Shreveport, and to his well-recognized business acumen, were Lieut.-Gov. Barret, Hon. William Winter, E. B. Herndon, Sr., S. W. Smith and Gabe Leadmann. There were numerous others. Not a single discordant note was heard at the meeting. Not a creditor expressed a desire to secure or collect his claim. It was altogether one of the most remarkable tributes ever paid to a business man of Shreveport or anywhere else.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 205-207.