ASBURY FITCH CHESNEY: Residence 1221 Kansas Avenue, Topeka
MARRIAGE: Asbury Fitch Chesney was married on 31 Dec 1873 in Marietta, Washington Co., OH. Witnesses were R.C. Smithson and H.J. Stennard. Ceremony was officiated by Rev. William Addy, Pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church in Marietta, OH. [Note: a framed copy of the original Marriage License is hanging on the wall of Gary Chesney].
RESIDENCES: Lived in the same house at 1221 Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS for 35 years.
ORGANIZATIONS: Member of Topeka Lodge No. 17 A.F. and A.M.
HEALTH HISTORY: death from Bright's Disease

Stricken Down - A.F. Chesney, Nominated for Justice of the Peace, Has a Paralytic Stroke.
A. F. Chesney, who was Saturday nominated for the office of justice of the peace suffered a stroke of paralysis on Thursday evening last and fears were entertained for his recovery. He is better today and Dr. C.C. Maguire thinks he will recover soon. After the stroke Mr. Chesney could not utter a sound until Saturday noon. The case is an unusual one. He is now somewhat improved. Justice of the Peace Chesney was one of the first men in Topeka to come out strong in favor of John Seaton for Governor. Mr. Chesney has a big Seaton banner hanging in his court room. (Source: Two small, undated, newspaper clippings - furnished by Gary Chesney)

OBITUARY: Judge Chesney Asbury F. Chesney, one of the best known citizens of Topeka, [KS] died at his home 1221 Kansas avenue at 9:45 P.M., Thursday, March 26, Ultimo. He has been a sufferer with Bright's disease for several months. Judge Chesney was born at Abingdon, Ill. Dec. 28, 1848. He was educated at Abingdon college and came to Kansas in 1868. He married Miss Blanche Atkinson of Marietta, Ohio, DEC. 31, 1878, and she with three children survive him. They are: Mrs. Percy A. Capps, of Topeka; Mrs. F. L. Rosenbury of Kansas City; and Kent King Chesney of Topeka. Judge Chesney entered the Topeka post office under Samuel Fletcher in 1868, and was afterward assistant postmaster under T.J. Anderson. He was appointed justice of the peace by Gov. John A. Martin, and was elected to succeed himself seven times. He was elected councilman of the Third ward in 1879, and was responsible for the installation of the Negro fire department on Jefferson street. Judge Chesney was of a kind and generous disposition and people in distress always found in him a friend. No one was every turned away hungry and empty handed who had applied to Judge Chesney, and he would give his last penny, to relieve suffering. Judge Chesney grew up in Abingdon, IL, and will be remembered by the older citizens. He was the son of Kent M. Chesney, at one time the veteran wagon maker of Abingdon {And co-founder of the town of Abingdon}. The latter's shop stood at the southwest corner of Martin and Jefferson streets, and the old homestead was on the corner, where now is the residence of W.A. Merricks. In the sixties, Fitch, which was the name by which he was familiarly designated by his boyhood chums, was a diligent student of old Abingdon College. He was apt and quick to learn. His brother Jesse was then postmaster, and it was under his tutelage at odd hours that Fitch gained an into the post office business which was helpful to him afterward on entering the post office in Topeka. While bright mentally and handsome physically, he was modest and unobtrusive. He was of neat appearance and though he always dressed well he eschewed the loud toggery popular with many young fellows in his class. He was ever ready to help a friend and whatever he did in this line he did ungrudgingly and without comment. He was popular with students and faculty. He was a brother of Mrs. W.A. Chesney Merricks of Abingdon, and Ezra E. Chesney a prominent attorney of Kansas City, who also survive him. His career was an honorable one and he was highly respected both in Abingdon and Topeka, and by all who knew him. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. The funeral was from the home, and the service was conducted by Rev. Grannell [of] the First Baptist church, Topeka. The pall bearers were members of the Shawnee county bar. (Source: undated clipping, Topeka State Journal - furnished by Gary Chesney)