Welcome to an online collection of artifacts from through Chester’s history. Many of these have been collected over the years and rather than just stay hidden in filing cabinets and boxes, I thought it would be good to display them until (hopefully!) one day Chester gets a museum of its own.
Do you have something in your collection to share? Send a clear photo and short description via email and we’ll add it!
There isn’t anything overly remarkable about this envelope, but it was mailed by Sells Pharmacy of Chester Nebraska – and was sent to the Omaha School Supply Co in 1937.
This is one of the oldest pieces we have in the collection. The letter was mailed March 24, 1892 to Mrs. Louie Mitchell of Gibbon NE.
This is a small label about 2-1/2″ across for denatured alcohol, which bears the name of the “Chester Drug Co” operated by JC Sell Reg Ph in Chester Nebraska.
This report card is likely from Alexandria, and not Chester, but is included to show what was a typical report card from the era. It’s the 1st grade report for Flora Murrell. Flora’s teacher was Sabina Costelloe (who married in 1924: “Miss Sabina Costelloe of Alexandria and William Cortney of Hebron were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria.”)
Here’s a nice piece of school history. It’s an invitation to the Commencement Exercises for the Senior Class of Chester High School. The event was held on May 27, 1931 at the Methodist Church (across the street from the school). This particular invitation was sent by Arthur Gallion.
A fine auction poster from 1918 showcases two quality pigs including the 1100 lb Jumbo Bob!
The pigs were being sold by Von Farell Bros in Chester Nebraska. CF Von Forrell went “to fight for Uncle Sam” (May 1918) and Ira G was left in charge of the 400 acre farm “without sufficient helf to successfully carry on the hog business”.
The CF Von Farell is likely a typo for CE (Cyrus) Von Farell. Here is his obituary from the Chester Herald.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115951413/cyrus-e-forell
Here is the obituary for his brother Ira George Von Farell:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46318594/ira-george-forell
It was G.D. Van Cleef
Hi –
I am Brad Brown, son of Harold E. Brown who grew up in Chester. I have a copy of The Chester Herald Souvenir Number dated January First 1914.
It’s quite interesting with lots of pics, adverts and articles about Chester’s beginning years. If you’re interested in receiving a copy of it, I could possibly photograph each of its 25 or so pages and send it to you if you don’t already have it. My Dad got it from Dale Duey, a friend of his who he grew up with in Chester.
best regards,
Brad Brown