John Bonham Kester Sr., was born on March 24, 1791 in Nelson County, Kentucky. He was a Farmer, a Doctor, and he served in the military in 1812. John married Margaret Layson, on April 13, 1815 in Nelson County, Kentucky. In 1834 he and his family moved to Mercer County, Illinois. From Illinois he and his family moved to Iowa in 1836. John died at the age of 48 on January 1, 1840 in Cedar Bluff, Cedar County, Iowa. Below is a picture of John Bonham Kester Sr.