George Chesney was born in Cuba, Illinois, in July 1859. He moved to Ketchikan from Seattle in 1904 with his wife Nettie and daughter Irene. Mr. Chesney was chief electrician for Ketchikan’s Citizen’s Light, Power and Water Company from 1904-1918. George Chesney left Citizen’s Light, Power and Water Company to spend two years as the chief electrician at the Kennecott mine. Mr. Chesney was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska. He passed away in Ketchikan in 1939.

Irene Frances Chesney McGillvray was born May 22, 1898 in DeMoines, Washington. She came to Ketchikan as a young girl in 1904 with her parents, George and Nettie May Chesney. Mrs. McGillvray also lived in Douglas and Kennicott.

Irene married Max McGillvray in Seattle. In 1923 they returned to Ketchikan where they lived with their four children; Donald, Patricia, Rita, and James.

Mrs. McGillvray was past president of the Pioneer Auxiliary, a charter member of Tongass Historical Society, active in the Republican Party, and a member of the Christian Science Church.

Irene Chesney McGillvray resided in Ketchikan, Alaska, for many years. Her collection of photographs showing Ketchikan in the early days and changes over the period of years is one of the valuable record sources in the community.

Mrs. McGillvray passed away June 26, 1976 at the Pioneer Home in Sitka.

Information from the Ketchikan Daily News; Monday, June 28, 1976; page 3

The collection was given to the donor by the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Chesney.