Dodge County GaArchives History .....Town of Chester 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 27, 2004, 6:02 pm

Chester, Ga.

  Situated about sixteen miles northeast of Eastman, in one of the most fertile
sections of Dodge County, is the thriving little town of Chester.

  The founders of this little town were Mr. June Williams, a turpentine man, and
Mr. H. M. Hancock, who was the first merchant of the new town. Other business
firms soon to open up for business were: The J. P. Williams Co., peach growers;
J. B. Hinson Co., Wynne Mercantile Co., C. M. Rogers & Son, also engaged in the
mercantile business.

  Among the early settlers were: R. Manning, C. M. Rogers, June A. Williams,
Martin Burch (negro), J. A. Coleman, Arthur Williams, Warren Joiner.

  W. B. Jessup was elected the first mayor, and the council was composed of H.
M. Hancock, T. C. Byrd and J. A. Williams.

  The first postmaster was John Hall (negro). After the town was incorporated J.
A. Williams became the postmaster.

  The Methodist Church was organized in 1899 by Rev. L. A. Snow, with T. C. Byrd
first steward, and T. C. Byrd, Dr. George Bordeaux and K. C. Johnson trustees.

  The Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1890 by Rev. S. A. Sheffield,
with Mr. R. Manning first deacon.

  The Primitive Baptist Church was organized in 1910, with Rev. G. W. Floyd
pastor, and H. M. Hancock, S-. M. Livingston church committee.

  The first public school was organized in 1901. Rev. J. R. Harvey was the first
teacher, and T. C. Byrd, W. B. Southerland and J. A. Williams were the trustees.

  In 1909 the Chester Banking Company was incorporated with a capital of
$25,000.00. D. A. Burch was president and J. B. Hinson vice-president. F. H.
Roberson, Jr., was cashier. This institution prospered for many years and was
quite a help to the people of that section of the county. The bank closed a few
years ago and a private bank was opened by Messrs. C. M. Rogers and Son and
Spencer Wynne.

  The Chester Consolidated School is located in the town of Chester, and is a
modern school building with all facilities.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY
OF
DODGE COUNTY

COPYRIGHT    1932
By MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB

Printed by
FOOTE & DAVIES CO., ATLANTA.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/dodge/history/other/gms552townofch.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/

File size: 2.7 Kb