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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Joseph M. Chennault, farmer and stock raiser of Dyer Township, Saline County, was born in St. Clair County, Ala., in 1827. William, his father, was a native of Tennessee, and his wife of South Carolina. The elder Chennault moved to Alabama while still quite a boy, settling in Madison County, whence he moved to St. Clair County. He was a prominent farmer and owned a large number of negroes. His marriage occurred in 1820, and fourteen children were born to him, eleven of whom lived until maturity, but Joseph M. is the only survivor. The names of this family were: John (deceased, whose family is in Texas), Mary (deceased, wife of Samuel Bazile), Eliza (deceased, wife of W. Hutchison), Rutha (deceased, wife of R. Bazile, family now in Perry County, this State), J. M. (our subject), Nancy A. (deceased wife of Mr. Dyer, family in Saline County), Thomas (deceased, whose family live in this county), Sarah A. (deceased, wife of K. James, family in Saline County), William J. (deceased, his wife residing in Perry County, Ark.), Stephen M. (deceased, family in Saline County), and Amos (deceased). Mr. Chennault lived until 1865, and his wife up to 1871, both meeting their death in this county. He came to this State in 1836, and settled in Saline County, where he was known politically, as a Union-Democrat. Himself and wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. When twenty years of age J. M. Chennault began existence for himself. His school days had been spent in the county at limited district schools, the education here derived being subsequently improved by self-application. At the age of twenty years he was married to Miss Nancy A. James, and three children were born to them, two now living: William M. (who lives in Garland County), and John (in Saline County). Mr. Chennault was married the second time to Miss Caroline Waters, who became the mother of five children: Mary A. (wife of John James), Eliza (wife of L. P. Kate), Sarah (wife of W. P. Caldwell), Joseph M., Jr., and Thomas (at home.) Mrs. Chennault died in March, 1877, as a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In 1888, Mr. Chennault was again married, to Miss Susan Gerin. He was in the Confederate army during the war as a member of Capt. Adams’ Company, afterward joining the cavalry, and served until 1865, participating in the battle at Poison Springs and Marks’ Mill. He was also with Gen. Price on his raid through Missouri in 1864-65, taking part in a number of skirmishes. His discharge occurred in Navarro County, Tex., after which he came home and commenced farming to replenish his fortune shattered by the war. He now owns 180 acres of land, with sixty acres under cultivation, situated on the Middle Fork of Saline River, forming one of the best stocked farms in this section. He is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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