Michael Nester, the popular sheriff of Marshall county, is a native of Germany, born at Wurtemberg, September 24, 1872. He is a son of Cyrakus and Mary (Galster) Nester, both natives of Wurtemberg and descendants of old and honorable German ancestry. In 1878 the Nester family came to America and settled near St. Louis, where the father followed farming, which had been his occupation in the Fatherland. He remained there two years, coming to Kansas in the fall of 1880, and locating at Marysville. He was first employed as a landscape gardener and decorator, and still resides at Marysville.

Sheriff Nester received his education in the parochial and public schools of Marysville, and after leaving school was employed by a butcher for a short time, when he engaged in that business for himself. In 1896 he went to Oregon in the employ of Swift & Company, and was engaged in trailing sheep and cattle from the Pacific coast east as far as Colorado. The plan was to drive a herd of sheep or cattle over the range to points in Colorado, then return to Oregon and repeat the operation. During the time he was thus employed he spent the winters at Marysville, and in 1900 he resigned this position, becoming city marshal of Marysville. After serving in this capacity three years, he was appointed under sheriff by Sheriff F. J. Barrett, serving in this capacity with different sheriffs until 1912, when he was elected sheriff, which office he now holds.

Mr. Nester was married December 24, 1901, to Miss Dora, daughter of George and Sarah C. (Wood) Hankins, the former a native of Illinois, and the latter of Iowa. The Hankins family came to Kansas in 1880, where the father was engaged in teaching and farming until 1907, when he removed to Colorado, where he is still actively engaged in teaching. Mrs. Nester was born on a farm in Marshall county, Kansas, and received her education in the public schools, attending the high school at Oketo. Later she attended the Normal College at Marysville, where she was graduated in the class of 1900, and taught two terms prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Nester have been born three children: Michael C., deceased; George Myron, deceased, and Blanford Murlin, now a pupil in the Marysville schools.

Mr. Nester is a Democrat, and has taken an active part in his party organization. His fraternal affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as a peace officer in various capacities in Marshall county over thirteen years, and has ever been capable and efficient. His long experience in that capacity well qualifies him for the responsible position which he now holds.