Joseph D. Chesnutt
J.
D. Chesnutt, a well-known and
enterprising farmer of James County, and now a resident of the Eighth Civil
District, was born near his present place of residence, August 30, 1845, and is
the son of John and Matilda Chesnutt. John Chesnutt, the father, was of Irish
descent, and was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., December 3, 1802, and
died in James County, Tenn., December 8, 1886. He was a successful farmer. He
had a good education, and was a member of the Baptist Church. The
mother was born in Monroe County, Tenn., February 11, 1811, and died in James
County, Tenn., May 28, 1876. She also had a good education, and was a member of
the Baptist Church. Our subject was the seventh of a large family of children;
he secured a good education in his youth, and worked on his father's farm until
one year after marriage, which occurred October 26, 1872. He married Miss Mary
Jones, who was born in Bradley County, Tenn., November 2, 1852. She has a good
education, and is a member of the Baptist Church. She is the daughter of
Crawford and Elisabeth Jones. This union has resulted in the birth of six
children, all of whom are living, named Arthur L., Eli M., Matilda E., Claude,
Joseph E. and Pearl. He then moved to his present location, where he began for
himself. His father gave him the farm he now lives on, which by perseverance he
has improved to a great extent. Though not a member of any church, he is a
believer in the Christian religion. He is a Democrat.
“Goodspeed’s History of East Tennessee,”
1880