Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

F. P. KANESTER, merchant of Cleveland, was born in Polk County, May 15, 1852. He is the son of Reuben KANESTER, a native of Virginia, who came to Sevier County, Tenn., at the age of six years, where he grew up and married Paulina HENDERSON, a native of that county. Soon after that they moved to Polk County in 1828. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was a magistrate about seventeen years, besides filling minor offices. In 1886 he died, being seventy-nine years old. The mother still lives at the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were eight children, seven living — two sons and five daughters. Mr. KANESTER is of German descent on his father’s side and Scotch on his mother’s. He is the youngest son, was raised on a farm, and received a good English education, making his own way. After teaching a time, and saving his money, he went into the mercantile business at Benton, Polk County, with a capital of about $700. Having been burned out he came to Cleveland in 1884, and has done a good business since. In 1876 he married Miss S. E. MILBURN, daughter of Rev. Jacob L. MILBURN. By her he had three children: Ney, Sudie and Leafa. His wife is a Cumberland Presbyterian. For two years he was county superintendent of Polk County. He is a Knight of Honor, and has held the highest office in the subordinate lodge. In politics he is a Democrat. He has done a good real estate business in which he has been very successful.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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