As community journalists, we are tasked with documenting the history of today's events for tomorrow’s generations. Occasionally, however, we get the chance to share yesterday’s history with today’s generation. A visit to the Chesley farm northwest of Callaway, provided such an opportunity.

Dave and Jo Chesley live on the place that was originally homesteaded by his great-grandfather in 1876. In fact, part of their home is the original log house built by his great-grandfather, and the house where his grandfather was born. The family history is rich here.

The walls of the Chesley living room, the original log home, are lined with family photos and documents detailing the lineage of a family that has occupied this piece of land for nearly 150 years.

Dave’s great-grandparents, Paul and Edsel Marie (Olsen) Seyerson, lived in a dugout - where their first child was born - while Paul took on the enormous task of building a log home for his bride. The closest logs were giant cedars located eight miles north of the property in Pine Canyon.

“He hauled the logs with a team of horses and a team of oxen, but one of each died before the house was finished,” Dave explained. “So he put the two survivors together to finish the job.”

Paul used a broad ax that he had brought with him from Denmark to split the logs by hand, and as he promised his wife, had the house completed in time for the birth of their second child.

In 1884, Seyerson became an American citizen, and on the same day recorded the purchase of the homestead land from his cousin.

Paul and Edsel had two sons and two daughters. “In 1888, Edsel got word that her father was ill in Denmark, and she didn’t speak a lot of English. So he pinned a note in her coat that said Hurop, Denmark, and got her to the train and by herself she went back to Denmark and nev-

cont. PAGE 4 - Chesley Lodge er came home,” Jo recounted of Dave’s great-grandparents. “For a year he didn’t hear anything about her, and finally found out she was in a care home and somewhere along the line had a nervous breakdown. He went back to get her, but she didn’t know him, so she didn’t come home with him. So he raised the four children. Dave’s grandma was about 4-years-old at the time.”

In 1908, daughter Maren married Harry Chesley, the second wedding to take place in the log home. In 1911, Maren died giving birth to her and Harry’s second child, and in 1913 Harry married Maren’s little sister, Anna. A year later the couple returned to live in the old log house in time for the birth of their first child, and in 1916, their second child was born - Dave’s father, Elgin. Harry and Anna raised the two children of Harry and Maren, and had four of their own.

Paul Seyerson died in the log home he built with his own hands on Nov. 16, 1916, at the age of 67.

The third generation of the Seyerson-Chesley family, Elgin and Doris Chesley, moved into the log home in the 1950s, and in 1962 the modern home was built around the log house which was kept for a family room, as it remains today. The chinking on the logs was meticulously repaired at that time and painted by Doris.

In the 1970s Dave and Jo, the fourth generation of Paul Seyerson, became full partners in the farm operation with Dave’s parents, Elgin and Doris Chesley. Dave and Jo moved a trailer home onto the property where they lived until 1988, when Elgin and Doris moved to town. Dave and Jo moved into the home at that time.

“It’s five degrees warmer in here (the log home) during the winter than the rest of the house because the walls are so thick,” said Jo.

Jo and Dave enjoy sharing their family history, and explaining the photos and artifacts that decorate the original log home. “This is Dave’s uncle Ole Chesley,” said Jo as she pointed to a photograph. “He died in 2021, and was the last to be born in the log house and the last to be raised here.” Dave and Jo have two sons, and are optimistic that one of them will move back to the place one day and keep the family legacy intact.

Another highlight on the Chesley farm is the barn. Built in 1919-1920 by the Latin brothers, the barn has been restored to its original glory. The large bright red structure, with its completely restored cupola, is a showpiece of the property.

CHESLEY LODGE

Shortly after moving into the “main” house in 1988, Dave and Jo began offering their trailer home for shortterm rentals. Chesley Lodge was recently recognized by the Callaway Chamber of Commerce for 35 years of business in the community.

The four bedroom, one and a half bath house was purchased by Dave and Jo when they were married, nearly 50 years ago. The original carpet, in exceptional condition, lends a “vintage” feel to the home that offers comfort to the guests of the lodge.

Jo typically pampers her guests with homemade cinnamon rolls in the morning.

“We only rent to one party at a time because they have to share a bathroom,” said Jo.

The majority of the clientele of Chesley Lodge is repeat customers; Dave and Jo said they no longer even advertise their service. “They just keep coming back, and people in town all know us so if they are having a family reunion, wedding or a funeral, they contact us,” said Jo. Though the Chesley’s no longer offer guided deer hunts, the lodge still attracts several hunting parties throughout the season. “One guy comes from North Carolina and has been coming for 25 years. We have some archery hunters too that stay here,” Jo said.

Dave explained how renting their home came about. “We had built on two bedrooms so we couldn’t move it, and we didn’t really want to rent full time to anybody, as our kids were in junior high and grade school at the time,” he shared.

“And we thought it would be a little bit of extra income,” Jo added.

Jo said the lodge is ideal for local families hosting reunions, or when family from a distance is in town for functions. Jo estimated that the lodge is rented an average of 12-15 times per year.

“Anytime something is going on in Callaway - Pioneer Picnic, BRAN - we have renters,” said Jo. “It’s just too nice to sit idle. When they sit idle they just fall apart.

“People just love the wide open space out here, at the end of a dead end road. There’s no traffic noise, nothing to bother you. We take it for granted, and we shouldn’t.”

The Chesley Lodge offers comfort, peace and lots of quiet for guests.