Beauford Halbert Jester Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Beauford Halbert Jester passes away in 1949.

Beauford Halbert Jester was an American politician.

Jester was born on January 12th, 1893 in Corsicana, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. He then attended Harvard University for his legal studies which were interrupted by World War I. After returning from the war, he once again attended the University of Texas graduating this time with a Bachelors of Law degree.

After graduating from the University of Texas the second time, Jester passed the bar and started a private practice in his hometown of Corsicana. From 1933 to 1935 he served as a member of the University of Texas Board of Regents the youngest man to ever serve as President of that body. .He served as the director of the state bar association from 1940 to 1941.

In 1942 Jester was elected to his first public office becmae a member of the Texas Railroad Commission. He served until 1947.

In 1946, Jester was elected as the 36th Governor of Texas. As governor he created the Board of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools, the Texas Youth Development Council, and reformed the state prison system. He also increased funding for state hospitals and orphanages. He enacted strong right-to-work laws. He also supported an anti-lynching law. He won reelection easily in 1948.

Jester passed away just six months into his second term while on a train. He died from a heart attack on July 11th, 1949.

Jester was a member of Corsicana Lodge No. 174 in Coriscana, Texas.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.