The first post-office was established in Chester in 1794. Joseph Wickham being the first postmaster located at West Chester, then and now a part of Chester village, afterward it was moved to the old village and in 1842 was removed to the building opposite the present Erie Railroad tower at Chester Station. The idea of offering fresh milk from the country to the distant consumer in the city originated with a road contractor named Selleck who interested some of our leading farmers in the project and succeeded in getting a supply sent by the Erie in the spring of 1842. It was shipped in the blue pyramid churns of that day. The first shipment were about six cans per day and freight charges were by weight, twenty cents per hundred pounds. The price paid the producer was two cents per quart, placed on the cars at Chester. The farmers soon finding that there was more money to be made from milk at two cents per quart than butter at fifteen cents per pound, began sending milk to Selleck. Thus the milk business of the county was born, and in spite of the many difficulties, this business has alone been the means of building four railroads in Orange County and returned to it over $100,000,000.
In 1784 mention is made of a saw-mill on the trout brook, on the Sterling road. These mills are now known as Bull's Mills. A grist-mill was then operated on the opposite side of the stream. The old flouring mill at West Chester was established soon after the settlement was made. As late as the year 1820, an old mill stood upon the ground just above the present Chester mills. During these times they used two run of stone and never were compelled to shut down for lack of water.
Chester's first library was incorporated November 17, 1779, with seven trustees, and was verified before Judge Wickham and recorded the same year. Abijah Yelverton was the first librarian.
The war of 1861 occasioned a great demand for onions and our onion culture on the black meadows began about that time. Our average yearly production has been about 60,000 bushels. During revolutionary times a part of these meadows were cultivated for raising hemp; later on, potatoes and corn.
INCORPORATION.
The movement for both our present water supply and for the incorporation of the village first took effective shape in the year 1891, when a few public-spirited citizens of the village subscribed to a fund to be expended in a survey to determine whether the water of Little Long Pond, now known as "Walton Lake," could be brought to the village under such pressure as would make it available for fire protection. The preliminary survey was made under the direction of Joseph Board and George M. Roe. The facts were convincing that this was a most favorable project for a water supply. First, the organization of a private company was proposed, and from this developed the incorporation of our village, the citizens realizing that if we were to have a water supply it must be owned by the village. Accordingly this was done with the happy result that has made us the envy of our neighboring villages.
On October 17, 1892, Mr. Joseph Board was appointed as resident superintendent in the construction of the water works, and when the water was turned on, in exactly a year, October 17, 1893, the inhabitants of our village had the satisfaction of knowing that each length of pipe so laid had been under the inspection of our superintendent.
The village of Chester was incorporated June 23, 1892. having a population of 1,400; 125 voters favored the incorporation and only the small number of thirteen opposed the proposition. At the first caucus, held July 12, 1892, were nominated W. A. Lawrence as president; Joseph Durland, George M. Roe and Thad. S. Durland, trustees. At the first election, held July 20, 1892, the above citizens were elected to their respective offices. The village board was organized on the same date, naming Joseph Board as village clerk.
The board of water commissioners was organized August 15, 1892, with Messrs. W. A. Lawrence, Joseph Durland, George M. Roe and T. S. Durland as commissioners, and Joseph Board, clerk. A taxpayers' meeting was called September 2, 1892, to vote on the question of assessment for water-works, with the following results: Sixty-eight in favor, against seven. Contract was executed at a total cost of $53,000 at their final completion.