Background
Lester, James Westcott was born on September 8, 1859 in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Son of Charles S. and Lucy L. (Cooke) Lester.
Lester, James Westcott was born on September 8, 1859 in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Son of Charles S. and Lucy L. (Cooke) Lester.
Bachelor of Arts, Union College, 1881, Doctor of Humane Letters, same, 1931. Law department Columbia, 1880-1881.
Enlisted as private 22d Separate Company, National Guard, November 25, 1884. Promoted through grades to brigadier general, June 6, 1911. Brevetted major general, January 7, 1913.
Served as major 2d Regiment New York Volumes, Spanish-American War, May 9-November 25, 1898.
Married Bertha N. Dowd, June 13, 1888. Children: James Dowd, Charles W., Dudley Gove, Ralph Westcott.