John Chord Kester was born on June 7, 1855 in Johnson County, Iowa. In 1863 he moved from Iowa to California with his parents and siblings, they first lived in Napa County, then in 1867 they moved to San Luis Obispo County. John married Mary Edna Raymond on July 4, 1876. The marriage was held in the one room school building near Hazard Canyon, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County, California. After his marriage, John and his wife Mary Edna, moved to a ranch in Parkfield, near Estrella, San Luis Obispo County, the area of Parkfield was known as the Estrella Plains. John and his family purchased property in the Hog Canyon area, and built a new house. After years of no rain, John packed up his family and belongings, and traveled by horse and wagon inland, moving to Oakvale, located three and a half miles from Laton, Kings County, California. In 1918 John and his family moved again, from Kings County to Santa Cruz County, they settled in the city of Watsonville. After the death of his wife, Mary Edna, John moved in with one of his son's, on a ranch off Beach Road, Santa Cruz County, California. John died at the age of 76 on April 20, 1932. He was buried on April 22, in the Kester family plot, I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California.