WILLIAM M. CHESTER, farmer, P. O. Jonesboro, was born July 14, 1831, in Bedford County, Tenn. He is a son of John Chester, who was a carpenter by occupation, learning and following his trade in Tennessee, and also in this county, to which he had come in 1847. He was married, in Tennessee, to Mary Lee, who was also a native of Tennessee, where she was born in 1797; she died in 1865, May 26, in this county. She was a daughter of John and Mary Lee, who were born in North Carolina, and she is the mother of ten children, of whom five are now living — Sarah Meisenheimer, Elizabeth Green, William M., Amanda R. Sams and John D. The father of our subject was born August 7, 1794, in North Carolina, and died December 21, 1872, in this county. Our subject, William M. Chester, received his education partly in this State and partly in Tennessee. He was joined in matrimony, October 14, 1860, in Union County, to Miss Francis J. Meisenheimer, who died March 22, 1873, leaving three children — William N., born July 17, 1867; Ann Mary, born April 9, 1869; and Amanda, born January 9, 1871. Mr. Chester was married a second time, September 14, 1877, in this county, to Mrs. Georgie A. Leyerle, who was born in Kentucky. She is the mother of four children now living — John B. Lyerle, born November 6, 1870; Levy L. Leyerle, born February 18, 1875; Henrietta Chester, born October 10, 1878, and Magdalene Chester, born March 23, 1882. Mr. Chester has a farm of eighty acres, which is the old home place of the Chester family. Our subject, as well as his ancestors, have been connected with the Democratic party.
Extracted 02 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, pages 94-95.
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