Jesse Slaven

Jesse Slaven (Nov. 1888 – Sept. 29, 1918) was a No Business man killed in France during world War I.

See also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born in November 1888, Jesse Slaven was the son of Charley Slaven (1861-1934) and Sally Ann Roysdon (1864-1897). His siblings included Bailey Slaven (1891-1957), Tealie Ann Blevins (1897-1969), Benjamin Slaven (1900-1976), Elizabeth Williams (1903-1978), Marion Slaven (1906-1930), General Slaven (1909-1985) and Margaret Lay (1911-1982). He was the oldest child.

Charley Slaven was the son of Elisha Slaven and Mary Ann “Polly” Sweet. His grandfather was Richard Harve Slaven, the first settler of the Big South Fork region. Richard Harve Slaven was Jesse Slaven’s great-grandfather.

Charley Slaven married Sally Ann Roysdon, the daughter of Jesse Roysdon and Ithema Terry. They had three children: Jesse, Bailey and Tealie Ann. Sally died in 1897 and Charley remarried to Mary Safrona Roysdon (1872-1957), the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Roysdon and Elizabeth Frances Sumpter. His two wives were not closely related.

Jesse married Lillie Jane Slaven (1891-1972), the daughter of William Slaven and Nancy Spradlin. They had no children.

World War I

Pvt. Slaven enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept. 19, 1917 and was assigned to Co. L, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division. He was killed in action on Sept. 29, 1918. HIs military file doesn’t make it clear where he was killed, but the 120th Infantry took part in the Somme Offensive and the Ypres-Lys offensive that were fought during that time period.

Aftermath

Pvt. Slaven’s widow was informed of his death. He was initially interred at the American Cemetery in Bony, France, but his body was returned stateside for burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was 29 at the time of his death.

Lillie remarried to Ruben Cruse Kidd (1898-1966) and they had six children: Maggie Watson (1920-1977), Vester “Bud” Kidd (1922-1992), Lucy Mae New (1923-1996), R.W. “Dub” Kidd (1925-1973), Delbert Kidd (1927-1999) and Lester “Pent” Kidd (1929-2010).