BIO: James Chestnut, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER LVII.

                         SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP.

546  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  HON. JAMES CHESTNUT, farmer, P. O. Cleversburg, was born in 
Southampton Township, this county, September 30, 1818, son of John and 
Charity (Kelley) Chestnut, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish 
and English descent.  John Chestnut came from Philadelphia, Penn., to 
this county, in 1766 and settled on a farm in what is now Southampton 
Township, and here passed the remainder of his days.  Hon. James 
Chestnut, the youngest in a family of eight children, was reared on the 
farm, attended the common school, and afterward the Washington Medical 
College, at Baltimore, Md.  He practiced medicine for two years in this 
county, but, on account of his business relations, he gave up his 
profession and devoted most of his time to farming and other business.  
He is well known as "Col." Chestnut, having been elected colonel of 
militia, when quite a young man, and served as such for six years.  He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F.  In politics he is a Democrat; has 
served as school director in his district, and justice of the peace in 
his township, and has represented this district (comprising Cumberland 
and Adams Counties) in the State Senate for two terms, from 1876 to 
1880.  In 1846, our subject married Anna Eliza, daughter of George 
Maxwell, and a native of this county, of Scotch-Irish descent.  Of nine 
children born to our subject and wife eight are now living - two boys 
and six girls.