The "Grandma" Chessher Family

Facts from Tracy and Hazel Chessher Bolton

A history of the Jacksonville Centennial would not be complete without the story of beloved "Grandma Chessher" who, when she died in 1940 at age 106½, had lived in Jacksonville for over 84 years. She was born Melvina Ingle at Jasper, Alabama, on November 21, 1833.

She came to old Jacksonville in 1854 with her first husband, Hugh Francis, who died in 1855. She then married David N. George, but he was killed in Confederate service. She remained in old Jacksonville and married Andy J. Chessher in 1864. Andy, Jr., and Kate were born there.

It was in 1872 and the new site for Jacksonville had been designated, when Melvina and Andy built their home, one of the first buildings in the new town. It was located where United Dollar Store is now. As timber was being unloaded for the new home, the brothers Cal, John and Bart Bolton were continuing to plow their fields in what now is downtown Jacksonville.

The Chesshers' third child, John, was the first boy baby born in the newly incorporated town of Jacksonville. He became a ship builder and a chiropractor, practicing in Jacksonville at one time.

Kate married Gus Caperton and they ran "The Caperton House," a hotel. Their son, Lee Tracy, died at age ten. Their daughter, Vera, married Festus Crysup and they had two daughters.

Andy, Jr., who became a Jacksonville businessman and postmaster, married Fannie Byrd, daughter of another pioneer, W. W. Byrd, and a sister of L. D. Byrd. Their only child, Hazel, lives with her husband, Tracy Bolton, at 607 Neches Street. They have five daughters including Bunny (Mrs. Ray Beall), who lives in Jacksonville with her husband and their five children.

After Hazel's mother died in 1899, Andy, Jr., married Miss Lula Pickens in 1904. They had one son, Hubert, who lived in Reno until his death, and one daughter, Miriam Chessher Joiner, now residing in Austin and working in one of the Beall Bros, department stores. Her son is Robert Joiner, Jr.

During Melvina Chessher's long life she became a widow three times, but her indomitable spirit was an inspiration to several generations of Jacksonvilleites. In the early days, she operated her home as a hotel and entertained many distinguished guests. There was no hospital here and Mrs. Chessher opened her home to the sick and nursed them. Once she tended a case of typhoid fever.

Her mind was alert until she died. She survived pneumonia three times, but was bedridden during her last years because of a broken hip. She had a keen sense of humor, but refused to talk on the telephone and never consented to listen to radio. Her life was a perfect example of Christian love and compassion for her fellowmen.

Mrs. Melvina Chessher, who died here at age 106½, in 1940. Her hotel was pictured on the medallion issued in celebration of Jacksonville's 50th Anniversary in 1922.