Chester Harvey Rowell (November 1, 1867 - April 12, 1948) was an early leader of the progressive movement in California. Born in Bloomington, Illinois, he earned a degree from the University of Michigan in 1888. His father was Jonathan H. Rowell, a U.S. congressman in Illinois. Rowell studied three years in Europe, including terms at the Universities of Halle, Berlin, Paris and Rome. In 1898 he became the editor and manager of the , the newspaper founded by his uncle Dr. Chester Rowell. He remained as editor for 22 years.