J. J. Chester, p. 399

J. J. CHESTER. Among the prominent agriculturists of Allen township, none are more deserving of special mention than this prosperous gentleman, whose name has from an early time been associated with the best interests of Washington county.

Many years ago Joseph and Elizabeth Chester, natives of eastern Pennsylvania, came to Washington county, and there made a home on a tract of land which he patented. Among the children who came to this pioneer couple was one son, S. A., whose brothers were Morrison, who resided in Guernsey county, Ohio, and died January 21, 1893, and Benjamin, who died in California.

S. A. Chester was born March 16, 1818, on the home farm in Allen township, Washington county. He was there married to Margaret Jackman, who was born on the farm their children now occupy. Mr. Chester affiliated with the Whig and Republican parties, and served in many local offices. Mrs. Chester died about the year 1871, leaving the following children: Joseph W. (who died in 1873 in Vernon county, Mo.), John A. (living in Moundsville, Vernon Co., Mo.), Elizabeth Ann (deceased at the age of eight years), J. J. (whose name opens this sketch), James Harvey (who died in 1875 in Allen township), Margaret Ann (deceased wife of Irving McKenna, of Fayette City), Jane A. (deceased wife of Allen Ailes, of Columbus, Kans.), S. T., and Fremont (who died when twelve years of age). S. A. Chester died in March, 1888.

J. J. Chester, the fourth son of S. A. and Margaret Chester, was born July 4, 1846, in Allen township, Washington county. He attended the home schools and assisted on the farm during boyhood. On August 15, 1863, he enlisted at New Brighton, Penn., in Company A, Forty-sixth P. V. I., for three years or during the war. He was mustered into service at New Brighton and assigned to the old Twelfth, Army of the Potomac, which, combined with the Eleventh, formed the Twentieth corps, army of the Cumberland. Mr. Chester participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Resaca, at which latter he received a gunshot wound in the face and right arm. He was taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn., thence transferred to Pittsburgh, Penn., and on May 18, 1865, received his discharge, returning to Allen township. On September 8, 1869, Mr. Chester was united in marriage with Miss E. A. Gatts, who was born in West Virginia, a daughter of C. D. and Mary (Riggs) Gatts, also natives of West Virginia, and who, while crossing a railroad track were accidentally killed.

The paternal grandfather of Miss Gatts was a native of Washington county, Penn. After their marriage (the ceremony having taken place in Virginia) Mr. and Mrs. Chester first located on the home farm in Allen township, Washington county, but in 1878 he bought the 107-3/4 acres of land which they now occupy, and where he has since followed farming. The children born to them were Avolena, living in Los Angeles, Cal.; Raymond H.; Christian L.; Lydia May, deceased at the age of seven weeks; Blaine, and Neva, the last named being deceased. Mr. Chester takes an active interest in the success of the Republican party, and is a member of the "Harry Billingsley" Post No. 168 G. A. R., at California, this county. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Tabor.

Text taken from page 399 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed May 1997 by Marilyn K. MacKendrick of N. Charleston, SC as part of the Beers Project.
Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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