Charles E. Chesley

CHARLES E. CHESLEY.

No history of Vermilion county would be complete without mention of Charles E. Chesley, who is a worthy representative of one of the old and honored families of Danville and has for many years been prominently identified with the industrial interests of the city. He was here born on the 16th of April, 1854, be ing a son of Robert V. Chesley, who came to Danville at an early day with his father, Colonel A. P. Chesley, a noted Indian fighter. The father of our subject was also in military service and served in the Union army during the Civil war as captain of Company C, Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen Marr Russell, was born in Connecticut and came to Danville in girlhood with her father, William Russell, the journey being made by canal the greater part of the way. Her father served as land agent here for many years and became one of the most prominent and wealthy citizens of this locality, dying here in 1856. More extended mention is made of the ancestors of our subject in connection with the sketch of L. A. Chesley on another page of this volume.

Reared in Danville, Charles E. Chesley is indebted to the public schools of this city for the educational advantages he enjoyed and was attending high school when his father died, and he was forced to provide for his own support at the age of seventeen years. He then learned the carriage-maker’s trade with Daniel Force, but while yet a young man entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad as call boy. His fidelity to duty won him promotion and he served both as fire man and engineer, subsequently becoming foreman of the roundhouse at Tilton, where he remained for two years. He then went upon the road, but after a year once more resumed the duties of foreman, serving in that capacity for two years more. He was next employed as assistant to C. F. Lape, general master mechanic, and once more went upon the road as an engineer, continuing his connection with the Wabash Railroad Company for twelve years.

On resigning his position in 1892 he embarked in his present business in connection with his brother, John L., establishing boiler works on West Main street, but a few years later they purchased the interest of William Stevens, an old pioneer in the same business, whose plant was located on Section street, and after the consolidation they removed to the latter location, where they have since carried on business under the name of the Chesley Brothers Boiler Works, manufacturing tanks, boilers, stacks and other sheet iron products, which are shipped extensively to all parts of the United States. Their business has continually increased and has reached such proportions that it is now one of the leading industrial concerns of the city. In addition to this business they also conduct a coal yard and have become interested to some extent in real estate.

In May, 1878, Mr. Chesley was married at Ridge Farm to Miss Ida M. Dicken, who was born at that place in 1860, a daughter of David Dicken, also a native of Vermilion county, his birth occurring in Elwood township. Five children blessed this union, all of whom are still living, namely: Beulah V.; Edna May, now Mrs. Laflin; Annie D., who is being educated at Nashville, Tennessee; Alice; and Robert E. The parents hold membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church and are widely and favorably known throughout this their native county.

Fraternally Mr. Chesley holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Court of Honor. His political support is given the republican party, but he has never taken a very active part in political affairs, though he served two years as alderman of the fourth ward. He is, however, a very progressive, enterprising man, who takes a deep interest in public affairs and never with holds his support from any object which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. As a business man he stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens and the success that has come to him is but the just reward of his own earnest and persistent efforts.

As printed in History of Vermilion County, Illinois : a tale of its evolution, settlement, and progress for nearly a century (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.