The Chester Harvey Rowell papers measure 1.25 linear feet and date from 1882 to 1937. The collection predominantly consists of correspondence to Rowell's family, in particular, to his sister, Cora. These are personal letters in which he reveals his feelings about his current place of employment or his opinions about the various places he has traveled. Also included are Rowell's marriage announcement and editorials from the Fresno Morning Republican and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Chester Harvey Rowell was born in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1867. In his youth, he went to Europe to study and travel. After his return, he taught at a small college in Kansas for a year and then came to Fresno, California, to be a high school instructor in mathematics and German. After two years in Fresno, Rowell joined the faculty at the University of Illinois, where he remained for a year. He returned to Fresno in 1898 to become the editor and manager of the Fresno Morning Republican, positions he maintained for twenty-two years. In 1912, on the death of his uncle Dr. Chester Rowell the founder and president of the board of directors of the newspaper, Rowell became president of the board. After leaving Fresno, Rowell became the editor and director of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Copyright has not been transferred to California State University, Fresno.

The collection is open for research.