Memorials › Samuel Denver Chesnutt

Samuel Denver Chesnutt

22 Sep 1885 – 27 Aug 1944

Birth22 Sep 1885
Death27 Aug 1944
CemeterySaint Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Beeville , Bee County , Texas , USA
Added byJo Routhier on 28 Jul 2014
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120848833

Bio

Denver Chesnutt was the son of William Lott and Mary L. (Schofner) Chesnutt. He married Marie Josephine "Jo" Wood of Beeville, Texas on Nov. 20, 1912. Their children were Mary Julia, Sam, John, and Bill. Denver was owner, editor, and publisher of the Kenedy Advance, Kenedy, Texas. As a boy, he began work as a printer, never quitting a print shop until his death. He entered the newspaper business at the Lufkin News. He was associate editor of the Beeville Bee and manager of the Hallettsville Herald for short periods. In 1911, he purchased the Kenedy Advance. He was president of the Texas Press Association 1922-1923. In 1937, Gov. James V. Allred appointed Denver as a member of the State Prison Board. He was a founding member of the Kenedy Rotary Club. Denver was a life long Democrat and an early supporter of Lyndon B. Johnson. A little known story about Denver is that he was one of a group of men who broke up a Ku Klux Klan chapter in Kenedy, in the 1920's. S.D. CHESNUTT SIGNS "30" SERVICES ARE HELD MONDAY "The entire town was grieved Sunday when it was learned that Denver Chesnutt had passed away at the Kenedy Clinic and Hospital at 3:30 o'clock in the morning. Although he had been in bad health for some time, nevertheless news of his death came as a distinct shock to relatives and to his many many friends. He had been in the hospital for just a week prior to his death but had been suffering with a heart ailment for a number of months. When the end came, he quietly went to sleep ending months of suffering. Rosary was held at the family residence at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Mass was held at 10 o'clock Monday morning at St. Joseph's Church at Beeville with Father Albert George Henkes of Karnes City officiating. Father Smith of Runge, Father Stockton of Beeville also assisted with the services. Interment was made in the St. Joseph's Cemetery at Beeville under the direction of Chace Funeral Home of Kenedy. Pallbearers were: John W. Evans, Hugh Lewallen, Bill Atkinson, Clyde Franklin, Marion Atkinson, Paul Ruhmann, John Downey and P.R. Goff, Jr. Samuel Denver Chesnutt was born at Lufkin, Texas, September 22, 1885, and died in Kenedy, August 27, 1944. He had been in newspaper work ever since a young man, going to work at Lufkin and working at Nacogdoches, Hallettsville, Beeville, and Kenedy. He had been owner and publisher of the Kenedy Advance since 1911. He served on the Executive Committee of the Texas Press Association 1922-1923. He was a member of the Texas State Prison Board for six years and served the board as vice-president. He was president of the School Board, member of Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and a civic leader for many years in his home city and this section. He married Miss Josephine Wood of Beeville in 1912. Mr. Chesnutt was one of the most outstanding and influential men in this part of the state. He was a friend to all, the poor as well those in better stations of life. He did a great deal of good that very few people knew about. He lent money to several young people for them to attend school--just took their personal note and no other security other than his own judgment of their character and worth. Not once was he ever disappointed in that judgment. Survivors are his widow; one daughter, Mrs. C.C. Roos and one grand daughter, Josephine Roos; three sons, Corporal John Chesnutt, New Guinea; Corporal Bill Fore Chesnutt, Pubilof Islands; Sam Chesnutt, Jr., Freeport, Texas; three sisters, Mrs. A.L. Davis, Weed, Calif.; Mrs. Z.T. Milsap, Doerun, Ga.; Mrs Rannie Runnels, Austin, Texas; three brother, Charles R., Seward, Alaska; Cooper, Pasadena, Texas; M.L. Chesnutt, Kenedy; and several nieces and nephews. Business establishments in Kenedy closed Monday as a token of the high respect and esteem held for Mr. Chesnutt. A large number of people from Kenedy as well as friends from several hundred miles distant attended the funeral in Beeville. His last resting place was marked with many beautiful floral offerings and numerous were the telegrams and other messages from friends who could not be present. Mr. Chesnutt had traveled over all of the United States as well as Alaska, Canada and Mexico and made friends wherever he went. The Kenedy Advance force joins with the many friends in extending sympathy to the family and take this opportunity of repeating the comforting words of Father Henkes in the service, "Death without hope of eternal life is a terrible thing; death in the Christian Faith is consoling. No honorary pallbearers were named because the family considered any friend an honorary pallbearer." Kenedy Advance 31 Aug 1944 p.l. Print.

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