Historical Marker

George Taylor Jester

Marker installed: 1967

(1846-1922) Lieutenant governor of Texas (1894-1898), also father of Beauford Jester, a later Texas governor. As a boy, came from Illinois to Corsicana in a two-horse wagon. Worked on courthouse, first brick building in area, for 50 cents a day. At 18, joined Confederate army but Lee surrendered same year.

Married twice, had 5 children. "Clerked" for dry-goods store and traded in cotton before helping form Jester Brothers Bank in 1881. Served as representative (1890-1892) and senator (1892-1894) from Ninth District in Texas Legislature.

Was one of the founders of Southern Methodist University.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967.