John Lester was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. John and his brothers migrated to Loudoun County, Virginia and, a few years later, to Botetourt County, Virginia. By 1774, he owned land in Fincastle County and was a soldier of the Fincastle County Militia. He fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Point Pleasant is recognized by many historians as the first battle of the Revolution.

John was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving as a Private in Captain Daniel Trigg’s Company of Montgomery Co. Militia. He was in service between September 5, 1777 and April 1, 1778.

John married Catharine Plick (Blickensderfer), of Montgomery County, in Fincastle County around 1775 when he was 24 years old and Catharine was 16. Sometime after the Revolution, John and Catherine moved to the Little River area in Montgomery County. Of their eleven children, nine children settled either in Montgomery County or Floyd County.

John and Catharine had 83 (known) grandchildren and 460 (known) great-grandchildren!