George E. Kesterson, Huntington, WV Among those prominently known in the profession of law at Huntington and equally recognized as leaders in the coal industry is George E. Kesterson. During the twenty-seven years that he had been identified with affairs in this state he has made numerous important connections and entrenched himself firmly in the confidence of his associates. He was born at Belpre, Washington County, Ohio, October 7,1867, and is a son of William Franklin and Melissa (Treadway) Kesterson. The Kesterson family originated in Germany, whence came the great-grandfather of George E. Kesterson, who first located in Baltimore, Maryland, where upon the advent of the War of the Revolution, he joined General Washington's army and fought bravely during the winning of American independence. His son, Willis Kesterson, the grandfather of George E. Kesterson, was born at Waynesboro, Virginia, where he lived practically his whole life, being a well-known and prosperous planter of his community. He maintained the family's military record by fighting with the American troops during the Mexican war. Late in life he was sent to Lubeck, West Virginia, where he died prior to the death of his grandson.
William Franklin Kesterson (Father of George E Kesterson) was born in June,1825, at Waynesboro, Augusta County, Virginia, where he was reared and educated and where he early adopted the vocation of planter. Later he located at Parkersburg, this state, where he secured employment at the trade of copper. In 1866 he removed to Belpre, Ohio, where he also followed the same trade, and through industry and good management increased his capital until he was able to purchase land. Eventually he became a successful agriculturist and owned considerable property at Belpre at the time of his death, January 4, 1916, when he had reached the great age of ninety-one years, eight months, twenty-one days. He was a democrat in his political convictions, and a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, North. Mr. Kesterson married Miss Melissa Treadway, who was born in Wood County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and died at Belpre, Ohio. They became the parents of seven children: Willis H., who resides at Newark, Ohio, and is an agriculturist; Hester, who died at Somerset, Kentucky, as the wife of Hosea Johnson, also deceased, who was a farmer of Washington County, Ohio, and at Somerset; Hellena, who died at Rockland, Ohio, as the wife of John Waterman, township clerk at Rockland; Sylvester V., who is engaged in farming in Washington County, Ohio; Jeanetta, who died at Rockland County, Ohio, as the wife of Edward Ames, an agriculturist, who died later in Iowa; William Franklin, who is engaged in farming at Rockland, Ohio; George E. of this record.
George E. Kesterson attended graded and high schools of Belpre, Ohio, and after graduating from the latter entered upon study of law. He was admitted to the bar at Sistersville, West Virginia, in 1896, and practiced there until 1906, then spending two years at Parkersburg and a like period at Columbus, Ohio. During a part of his time, however, he was handling coal lands in Kentucky. Coming to Huntington in 1910, he opened a law office and has since engaged in the practice of his profession at this place, where he has gained a large and representative clientele and established an excellent reputation for sound ability and thorough professional knowledge. He is operating a coal mine at Hawk's Nest, West Virginia, and is a stockholder in the United Pocahontas Coal Corporation. His offices are situated at 1220 First National Bank Building. Mr. Kesterson is a democrat in politics, but not a seeker after political preferment. Fraternally he is affiliated with Huntington Lodge No. 347,L.O.O.M., and Huntington Lodge No.33, K.of P. On February 5,1912, Mr. Kesterson was united in marriage with Miss Maude Mayfield, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Her parents , Mr. and Mrs. Wood Mayfield, reside at Ashland, Kentucky, Mr. Mayfield being retired agriculturist. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kesterson; Josephine Virginia, born May 5, 1915, who is attending school, and William Woodrow, born November 22, 1921.
Source: The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc. Chicago and New York, Volume 11, Page 249
