Hubbell Pioneers - Georgia
A Southern Merchant
Lester Hubbell
The state of Georgia is not often thought of as an early Hubbell stronghold; however, we can find a Hubbell in that state in the middle of the last century. His name is Lester Hubbell.
Lester was born in Gilbertsville, County of Otsego, New York, in 1835 to Hiram and Melissa Cady Hubbell. His father, a blacksmith, earned his living forging metal parts for carriages and later in other foundry work.
Lester attended school at an early age until 1846 when the family moved to Montrose, Pennsylvania. His father had charge of the foundry and machine works there but after a year, his services were no longer required. The family then moved to Unadilla, N.Y., where his father held a similar position.
In 1849 Lester’s parents decided he should take a clerkship instead of following in his father’s footsteps. Owing to his slender build and delicate constitution, he was persuaded to become apprenticed to Mr. W. N. Emory, a dealer in general merchandise with whom he served his time faithfully.
In 1854 he went to Orcutt Creek, Pennsylvania, to take charge of a store and steam saw mill which his father and David Gardner had erected. The mill was destroyed by fire and Lester went to Waverly, N.Y., in the employ of H. Payne & Sons, dealers in general merchandise and furniture and remained there until 1859. In 1859 he returned to Unadilla and accepted a position with Mr. Emory, his first employer, with the understanding that he would soon be a partner.
As the two could not agree as to the time the partnership should commence, Lester went into business on his own account against the advice of his friends. He paid back borrowed money and doubled his own capital in 13 months and established a credit for future business operations.
He then took his brother-in-law George French as a partner. In 1865 he bought out Mr. French’s interest and in the fall of that year married Mary A. Thompson, a 15-year-old daughter of William J. Thompson, Esq. of Unadilla and continued in business there until 1868.
That year he went south on an inspection tour which terminated in his selling the store and moving part of his stock to Fleming, Liberty County, Georgia, 20 miles west of Savannah. He purchased a half-interest in a large tract of land and went into business with J. D. Stevens. Having a large body of pine timber on their lands, they took a partner and purchased a saw mill. The investment proved unprofitable. Lester returned north in disgust after the venture lost $8,000 in 12 months.
In 1872 he went into partnership with J. O. Easterling at Reidsville, the county town of Tatnall County, Georgia. This business was successful. Nearly all of the proceeds of timber and cotton came in the shape of checks on banks in Savannah.
They were induced to establish the Tatnall County Bank in 1875. He remained in business there until 1877 when he removed to Savannah to act as agent for a large provision house in St. Louis, Missouri. In the fall of that year with his brother Orestus and H. N. Graham he began a city retail and country jobbing trade in groceries and provisions.
The competition for the retail trade was so great they gradually dropped most of it and increased their wholesale trade. At the suspension of the St. Louis house, Lester turned his attention to the country trade and soon built up a thriving business.
Lester’s early life was spent under the influence of the Methodists religiously and Whigs and Republicans politically. But always loving the fundamental principles and disliking side issues and isms, he accepted the Episcopal Church faith, the Democratic standard and the Masonic fraternity. Persons were not quick to form his acquaintance. However, he was respected in all communities where he lived and his advice and counsel were frequently sought. He was courteous and unassuming and content with the work that he had done.