Chesterson Johnathan
JONATHAN CHESTERSON
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 499
Jonathan F. CHESTERSON owns and is profitably managing the fine old homstead in Sec 21, South Union Township, which was taken up from the Government when this country was a wilderness, by his grandfather, James Chesterson who was one of the earliest settlers of Montgomery Co. Our subject was born in Kankakee Co, ill June 5, 1849. His father, the venerable George Chesterson a well known resident of this county was born in Ohio, a son of James and Betsey LINN Chesterson and he was 4 when his parents came to Ind. in 1825 and settled upon a tract of land that was entered fromt he Government, they being among the very first to locate in this township and here their remaining days wer epassed and pioneer environments. The father of subject was one of several children and he was early set to work to help in the development of the home farm, as was the case with the sons of most pioneer farmers. In due time he starte dout in life for himself as a farmer and was fortunate in securing the active cooperation of a most capable wife in theperson of Louisa, daughter of Jonathan FENDER, a farmer of White Water. After marriage Mr. Chesterson farmed in Union Twp for awhile, removing two years later to Kankakee Co, Ill. After a five years' residence there, he returned to this county and settled on a farm in Union Twp adjoining the place where his son of whom we write lives. Two or three years later he left that place for his present home where he is spending his declining years pleasantly. He enjoys the respect of the entire community as a man of sterling merit who leads a consistent Christian life and is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. Our subject is one of 11 children, of whom 10 are living: James; Jonathan; Nelson; Thomas; Milton; Elizabeth; WIlliam; Emma; Frnklin and Charity. Ella died at age 1. Our subject was but a small child when his father returned to Indiaan, therefore his life has been mostly passed in this county. He grew up with a practical knowledge of farming and has made it his calling. He now owns the farm that his grandfather reclaimed from the forest wilds and has 120 acres of highly fertile land, which has been placed under the best of tillage and is well supplied with modern improvements. He devotes it to general farming and raises a good class of stock. Mr. Chesterson was married April 15, 1872 to Sarah J. BYRD. She is a daughter of Thomas Byrd, who died in 1870, while her mother is still living and makes her home in Union Twp. The great sorrow of the otherwise happy wedded life of our subject and his wife has been in the death of their little daughter, Ella, their only child who died at age threeand six months. M r. Chesterson holds a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens on account of his upright principles and high moral character. In politics, he is a Democrat and holds true to his party. Religiously, he is a member of Mt. Tabor Methodist Episcopal Church of which he is a Steward and he uses his influence to upbuild church and Sunday School. -- typed by kbz