Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-30
TO BE Welded AT IA.
That Is the Age Of a Most Remark
able Georgia Bridegroom.
THE BRIDE OVER THREE SCORE.
One Of the Most Unique Events of Pictur-
esque Career.
A SKETCH OF HIRAM TESTERS LIFE

Oldest man In the world Is IN Atlanta await
ing his marriage to lady of "a next week.
Over 100 years ago he was christened, and
since that event he has been known as
Hiram Lester. One hundred and twenty
four years ago he was born in
Raleigh, N. c., SO he says, but old records
and testimony of the oldest people
now living in Henry County, Ga,
show that when they were young Hiram
Lester was an aged man. Besides, Uncle
Hiram-that's what he is called-has son
who is himself an infrm man of 80 years
The son lives on farm at Tunis station,
Ca, and is an older-lookine man than his
father. Up to the time of the late war
Uncle Hiram exhibited with much pride
the old family Bible, with the birth, records,
showing him then to be centenarian.
He also had stack of old letters and
documents of colonial interest, belonging to
himself and his father, with a furlough OF
his own from the War of 1872. Uncle
Hiram came from famous family. He re-
counts now, with evident delight. all
the time his great-grandfather Lester
was viceregent of the Crown, as
he puts it, and the time that another ances-
tor and his lady marched with their "a sons
before the throne previous to embarking for
America down to the time his own sons
took part in the late war. He says that the
family has been noted for longevity. "Peo-
pie used to say you never knowed Lester
to de-" said Uncle Hiram; "but in my
day I hey knowed many a one to do it.
SOME LoNG-LIvED ANCESTORS.
The father of Uncle Hiram lived whole
century and his grandfather attained the
wonderful age of 115; but the grandson
beats that considerably, and is to-day as
hale an old man as can be found. Uncle
Hiram has cleared timbers, farmed, fought
Indians and British, kept a store and
practiced medicine. He claims to remem-
Der well all the incidents relating to
the Revolutionary War, and can
tell about scenes that occurred
and people who figured in them with mar
velous lucidity for one so old. His memory
is phenomenal Minutest incidents of
century ago come up before him as though
enacted but yesterday. Uncle Hiram once
enjoyed the hospitality of George WASH
ington's roof for three days when he was
almost grown.
He tells with great enthusiasm of the
courtliness of Washington and the plain
elegance of his lady; of the warmth which
greeted the visitor at Mt. Vernon, and the
great love and confidence grown people and
children alike reposed in General Wash
ington. 1t is truly voice from former
generation when Uncle Hiram speaks of
Ausward negotiating in behalf of the British
Empire with Jefferson, Madison, Jay and
Lawrence about shipping on the high seas.
HOw they reached an agreement,
how Ausward outwitted them in establish
ing the "claim of England" to all seamen
s,ak ID s,,4~ Al, IT. IL 1sala L..
how the frigate Chesapeake was over
powered, and how the war was finally ad-
justed Or, again recounting the battle of
Kings Mountain, he warns up in describ-
ing how Farquharson with 800 men was dis
lodged by strategy from his secure position,
and, together with 500 men, was slain, when
the American forces only numbered about
450 in all. ',@
WITH GENERAL JACKSON.
Hiram Lester was with General Jackson
some months before the battle of New
Orleans but was not at the battle. He did
not take part in the Mexican war being
over 70 years old. He was second cousin
to General Hays, who was killed at Bueno
Vista, and raised him up to his 18th year.
Notwithstanding his service in the
war of 1S1i Uncle Hiram has never
received "a pension. He says that
a pension shark once took his name
with fee and promised to secure one
for him, but was never heard from after
ward. He last three sons in the Confeder-
ate service, aged, as near as he can remem-
ber, 1S, 30 and 40. Uncle Hiram was COM
petled to go to the Poor Farm in 1881. This
establishment was kept by Mrs Mosely, who
was especially kind to the old man, and
won his heart. He gradually became so
attached to her that notwithstanding their
ages he sued for matrimony. Mrs
Moselv would not hear to it at first, but as
the years rolled on she became enfeebled
and had to claim support on the Poor Farm
as well
The two were constant companions and
seemed to find solace and sympathy from
each other that no one else gave them.
Finally their friendship ripened into some
thing tenderer, and the suitor, after long
service and harder courtship, perhaps,
than that of Jacob of old, won his lady love,
and the two decided to marry. They are
now in Atlanta for the purpose of being mar
ried-a bride of "a and bridegroom of 124.
have not been made yet for
the ceremony Uncle Hiram saws that he
loves his bride and will be happy to spend
his latter days basking in that love. The
old couple are truly picture together. The
old gentleman is as courtly and chivalrous
as could be. He is appreciative of atten-
tion paid him, and always endeavors to
make the last debt of gratitude in his COM
pany's favor. He is truly colonial gen.