Historical Marker

Chesterville Cemetery

Historical marker location:
CR 262, Egypt, Texas
( Go from Egypt to: From Eagle Lake take Hwy 90a-East to FM 1093; go east for 9 miles to the FM 2764 sign; OR from Wallis take Hwy 36 to FM 1093 West for 10 miles to the FM 2764 sign; from the FM 2764 sign go south across railroad tracks 100 ft. then a quick zig-zag SE on Colorado Co. road 2/10 of a mile, continue on Wharton Co. Road 262 one quarter mile to the Chesterville Cemetery.)
Marker installed: 2001
Marker size: HTC marker

Chesterville Cemetery

Land promoter John Linderholm, manager of the Southern Texas Colonization Company of Chicago, purchased more than 60,000 acres for development in Wharton and Colorado Counties beginning in 1894. The Chesterville Community was an outgrowth of this effort. It is named after the Nelson Chester family who, along with the Lafayette Kellison family, moved here from Illinois about1895. Alvina Chester (1875-1971) was the town's first postmistress, and William Chester (1869-1945) developed the area and looked after local Linderholm interests. He was a partner in the Chester-Kellison General Store and also served a term as postmaster. In 1897, in response to the land promotions, Peter Anderson (1857-1942) settled nearby with his wife, Augusta (1864-1915), their children and his parents. When Peter's father, Andrew (1818-1898), passed away in March, 1898, John Linderholm set aside this parcel of land adjacent to the Anderson property for a burial ground. Robert B. Wallace deeded the land to the Chesterville Cemetery Association in 1909; reoganized in 1961, the group still oversees affairs of this site that chronicles families that settled and developed this former prairie land.

Historic Texas Cemetery-2001

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

gravesites
The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.
Texas random facts
Wharton County, Texas, is located in the southeastern part of the state. The area that is now known as Wharton County was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and the Apache. In the early 1820s, Anglo-American settlers began to arrive in the region, attracted by the fertile soil and abundant wildlife.

In 1846, the Texas legislature established Wharton County, named after brothers William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton, who were prominent figures in the Texas Revolution. The county was officially organized in 1848, with the town of Wharton selected as the county seat. The growth of the county was fueled by the development of the railroads, which provided transportation for agricultural products such as cotton, corn, and cattle.

During the Civil War, Wharton County was heavily affected by the conflict. Many of the county's residents supported the Confederacy, with several military units being raised in the area. However, the county also had a significant number of Union sympathizers, leading to tensions and conflicts within the community. After the war, the county gradually recovered and experienced economic growth, with new industries such as oil and gas exploration contributing to its prosperity.

Today, Wharton County is a diverse community with a strong agricultural base. The county is known for its rice and cattle production, as well as its oil and gas industries. It is also home to several historical sites, including the Wharton County Courthouse, which was built in 1889 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With its rich history and thriving economy, Wharton County continues to be an important part of Texas's cultural and economic landscape.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Wharton County, Texas.

  • 1846: Wharton County is established by the Texas legislature
  • 1848: The first settlements are established in the county
  • 1849: The town of Wharton is founded and becomes the county seat
  • 1850: The population of the county is 1,075
  • 1861-1865: Wharton County residents participate in the American Civil War
  • 1881: The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway reaches Wharton County
  • 1900: The Galveston hurricane devastates the county, causing widespread destruction
  • 1930: The county's population reaches its peak at 39,195
  • 1965: The construction of the Wharton County Junior College is completed
  • 1985: The county courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places