His first partner was John Turner, and as Turner and Lester they played the principal variety houses, also an engagement with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, in 1874.
About October 1, 1875, he formed a partnership with Paul Allen, and in the fall of 1876 the team consolidated with Smith and Waldron; this was the original Big 4.
February 28, 1878, saw the first performance of Billy Emerson’s and the Big 4 Minstrels; which continued several months; Lester and Allen joined Tierney and Cronin, and were known as the 4 Aces; this, however, was not the original act of that title.
About 1884 Lester and Allen’s Minstrels took the road, and continued as an organization for three years.
Shortly after this they appeared in “A Plug Hat”; later Mr. Lester separated from Mr. Allen.
Mr. Lester’s first wife was Viola Clifton, whom he married in 1876. November 24, 1887, he became the husband of Annie Hart.
Billy Lester was born in London, England; he died at Fair Haven, N. J., July 11, 1893; age 40 years.
Paul Allen (Kayser) joined Billy Lester in 1875, and while the major portion of his professional career was identified with Lester’s, it was not entirely so.
In 1880, with Dan Waldron, William Smith and Master Martin the Big 4 Minstrels were on the road.
After separating from Mr. Lester, he did a black-face monologue, and as “Mayor of the Ohio River” met with unqualified success.