In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1840, Laurel County
From The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881)
P. E. CHESNUT, of the firm of C. & P. E. Chesnut, livery. Among the popular gentlemen of St. Joseph, Pleasant, as he is usually called, occupies a front rank. He was born in Laurel County, Kentucky, April 4, 1840, and was raised in the agricultural district, his father, Abraham, being a farmer- In 1859, he removed to Platte County, Missouri. Here he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion, when, his sympathies being with the South, he tendered his services in defense of the Confederate cause, and enlisted as Second Lieutenant in General Parson's Brigade, Tenth Missouri Infantry, participated in many of the notable events of the memorable conflict, being honorably discharged at the close. In 1865, he engaged in the grocery business, and, in 1876, became the junior member in the livery business of C. & P. E. Chesnut. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council. His wife, formerly Miss AUie Kirby, of St. Joseph, he married in December, 1877. They have one son, Guy.
As printed in The history of Buchanan County, Missouri (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.