Born near Fremont, Ohio. Served with the Union Army during the Civil War. Married. He engaged in the mercantile business before moving to Colorado. He worked at mining for four years. He returned to Ohio to work in the livery business. He returned to Colorado and settled in Victor. Employed again in mining and real estate. He died in Victor, Colorado.

Lesher was an advocate for free silver. He issued "Referendum Souvenirs" to publicize his cause. The octagonal pieces contained an ounce of silver and were valued at $1.25 each. Dies for the first pieces were cut by Frank Hurd of Denver, Colorado. The dies were seized after 100 pieces were struck. New dies were made by Herman Otto for several varieties. A local grocer, A. B. Bumstead, agreed to redeem them. His name appears on some varieties. Other merchants had their name imprinted on the pieces.

bio: NUM 34 Apr 1921 page 150; NSM Oct 1958 pages 2041-2053 (photo)

photo: AJN 51 1917 page 152