BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO "History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890. Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater. Pages 524-525. GEORGE W. CHESSELL, of Martin's Ferry, a successful business man, was born at Belmont in 1843. His grandfather, George Chessell, Sr., a native of England, came to the United States and settled near Smithfield, Jef- ferson county, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol- lowed for many years. He is still living, a resident of Hendrysburg, Belmont county. His son, George the father of George W., was born in England. He was married to Ann Davis, who died in 1887, and by this union had twelve children, five of whom survive. The subject of this sketch re- ceived his education at Hendrysburg. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted, in 1861, in Company K, Fifteenth Ohio regiment, with which he served four years and two months. During this period he passed through many great battles, such as Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and saw much severe service. He was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant, at San Antonio, Texas, in 1865. On his return to Ohio he engaged in the grocery business, at Hendrys- burg, until 1874, when he was appointed postal clerk on the Baltimore & Ohio road, running from Columbus to Grafton, and afterward from Newark to Chicago. He remained in the employment of the government until November, 1888. On July 23, 1889, he had, in company with M. F. Earp, purchased the Gem laundry at Martin's Ferry, and to this business he has since given his attention. This institution is well-known for the excellence of its work, and is quite popular throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Chessell is a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a re- publican. He was married, in 1866, to Sarah J. Hogue, of Jefferson county, and they have three children: Alma, George W. and Harry E.