Allegheny County PA Archives-  Obituaries: CHESTER, Lester P., Mar 1926

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Carol Movahed <cmovahed@hotmail.com>, 20 Apr 2008

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From the "Monessen Daily," Monday, 3/29/1926:
 
Capt. Lester P. Chester, a veteran river pilot, died Saturday 
morning at his home in Fayette City, in his ninetieth year. He 
was born in Washington County, September 6, 1836. In 1842 he 
moved with his parents to Pittsburgh. He attended the old Third 
Ward School at Cherry and Diamond alleys. While a pupil in this 
school he was an eye witness of the great fire of April 10, 1845, 
watching the burning of the city from the brow of Grant's Hill 
near where the court house now stands.
 
In 1856 he began his work on the river on the towboat Atlantic. 
He continued in active service until 1907, when he retired. 
During his long career on the river he was pilot of several 
of the largest towboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 
running from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. He lived most of his 
life in McKeesport, moving a few years ago to Fayette City.
 
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a thirty-second 
degree Mason and a member of the Masonic Veteran's Association 
of Pittsburgh. Capt. Lester is survived by his wife, Mrs. 
Editha J. Chester, one son, Frank J. Chester, of Pittsburgh and 
two daughters. Mrs. C.L. Smith of Salem, O., and Mrs. G. W. 
Spalter of Fayette City. Funeral services were held at Fayette 
City Sunday evening and interment was made at McKeesport this afternoon.