Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Chester, William Reginald |
Othernames |
W. R. Chester |
Born |
1874? |
Birthplace |
Sarnia, Ontario |
Places of residence |
Sarnia area Owen Sound, Grey County |
Father |
John Chester |
Mother |
Isabella Bell |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Notes |
Martha (Minnie) Chester (nee Lane) of Owen Sound, Ontario, married Wm. Reginald Chester of Owen Sound on June 14, 1905. He was a "Commercial Traveller" at that time, but later had a boot and shoe store in Owen Sound. Minnie (b. 1874-d. 1932) was listed as a "Lady / Housewife" on her death certificate. The Chesters lived at 774 2nd Ave. West, Owen Sound. A quilt that belonged to Minnie Chester is in the Grey Roots collection. It is not known if Minnie made this quilt or not, but there is a likelihood that she did? Minnie's father was an Owen Sound lawyer and Grey County Court Judge. His name was Samuel J. Lane (d.1891), and her mother was the former Martha Crawford. Judge Lane died in January, 1891. Mrs. Martha Lane, Widow, was 50 years old in the 1891 census of Owen Sound. Minnie was born at Owen Sound on Nov. 23, 1874. She also had older siblings. In the 1891 census, only Minnie (age 15) & her brother Harry (age 20) were living at home with their mother. The Chesters are buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound. Martha M. Lane 1874-1932 wife of Wm. Reginald Chester 1874-1946 is the info on the headstone. Buried with them are Lane R. Chester (b. 1906-d. ) and his wife Helen A. Bowman (b. 1906-d. 1973). "Dunbar & Chester, Drygoods" was a business located at 992 2nd Ave. East (west side of the street) in 1913. In 1921, "Dunbar & Dunbar" was the store name at the same location. In a 1926 Owen Sound Telephone directory, W. R. Chester had a Boot & Shoe store business at 984 2nd Ave. East and resided at 756 2nd Ave. West. In the 1937 telephone directory, W. R. Chester was living at 774 2nd Ave. West, and had a "wrapping paper" business at 776 2nd Ave. East. It also appears that he was an investor or involved with the Georgian Bay Summer Resort Co. in 1914 (see document 1992.003.010, which has his signature). This resort company had the King's Royal Hotel at Balmy Beach. William Reginald Chester was a son of John Chester and Isabella Bell. He was born at Sarnia. When did he move to Owen Sound? He was recorded as residing there at the time of his marriage in 1905. In 1916, his name was engraved on a championship curling trophy won by the Owen Sound curling team. The Chesters are buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound. |
Occupation |
Owen Sound Merchant / Businessman Georgian Bay Summer Resort Company Curler |
Role |
Business person |
Spouse |
Martha "Minnie" Lane, m. 1905 |
Children |
Lane R. Chester (b. 1906) Isabel Chester John Chester Kay Chester |
