Rufus E. Lester

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Rufus Ezekiel Lester (December 12, 1837 - June 16, 1906) was a U.S. Representative from Georgia.

Born near Waynesboro, Georgia, Lester was graduated from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia, in 1857. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in Savannah, Georgia, and commenced practice in 1859. He entered the military service of the Confederate States Army in 1861 and served throughout the Civil War. He resumed the practice of law in Savannah. He served as member of the State senate 1870-1879 and served as president of that body during the last three years. He served as mayor of Savannah 1883-1889.

Lester was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-first and to the eight succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1889, until his death in Washington, D.C., on June 16, 1906. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State (Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congresses). He was interred in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia.