City: Jackson
MCGEE, Gentry Richard, educator, public official; born Ebenezer, Miss., Sept. 17, 1840; Scotch-Irish-English and French descent; son of James Gentry and Marian (Ford) MCGEE; father’s occupation, physician; paternal grandparents Richard and Elizabeth (Gentry) MCGEE, maternal grandparents Rufus and ____ (Harland) FORD; educated at Andrew College; entered the Confederate service in May, 1861, before receiving A. B. degree, which would have been given in June, 1861; served in the army May, 1861, to April, 1865, in Co. B. 12th Tenn. Infantry, C. S. A. was Lieut. of his company while in the army and is now Lieut.-Col. in the U. C. V., also Adj. to Camp No. 37; married Sallie Valentine PRENTISS, Richmond, Va., Feb. 6, 1872; Mason (Past Master), Knight of Pythias (Past Chancellor); began his business career as a teacher and taught three years at Miller’s Chapel, Dyer Co., Tenn., and one year at Belts, Crockett Co., Tenn., 26 years at Trenton, Tenn., and has been twelve years in Jackson, four years as principal of the high school and the last eight years as Superintendent of the city schools; has been a member of Tenn. State Teachers’ Association since its organization in 1872; aided in founding Monteagle Sunday School Assembly July 4, 1883; author of School History of Tenn., published Oct., 1899; author of many articles for school journals and teachers’ assemblies; has worked in instructing in teachers’ institutes and summer schools for the past twenty-seven years; member of Christian church.
