Born October 25th, 1925, near Conetoe, Edgecombe County, North Carolina. His father Isaiah and brother, Isaiah Jr. both played guitars and the brother bought Elester a guitar when he was 13, and taught him to play, very much in the style of the very popular Blind Boy Fuller. He also learned older country pieces from his maternal uncle, Junie Bradley. For some time, Elester played with a cousin, Jesse Anderson on harmonica and they often played dances together. By the time Elester gave up playing in about 1968, he was with a small band in Greenville that included a saxophone. Elester was rediscovered and played several shows that were recorded at University of North Carolina in 1973. Died May 9, 1980 Edgecombe, North Carolina.