Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Josiah Wesley Mcgee *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** Josiah Wesley Mcgee, M. D., was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., August 26, 1841, and is the son of James G. and Sarah (Davis) McGee, and grandson of Henry McGee, who was born in Virginia in 1768, was a farmer and a Whig; he was shot by the Indians. The paternal grandmother was a native of New Jersey, was a member of the Baptist Church, and died at the age of one hundred and eight years. The maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Davis, was a native of North Carolina, a member of the Baptist Church, and a Whig in politics. The maternal grandmother, Rebecca Wakefield, was born in South Carolina, and was also a member of the Baptist Church. James G. McGee, father of our subject, was born in Georgia, not far from Chattanooga, in April, 1806, moved to Lawrence County, Tenn., at the age of twenty, engaged in farming, and two years later married Miss Davis. In 1852 they moved to Hardin County, Tenn., and to Ozark County, Mo., in 1870. The father was the owner of 300 acres of land, was a Whig in politics, afterward a Democrat, was a member of the Baptist Church, and died March 17, 1888. The mother was born in Jackson County, Ind., September 13, 1815, and moved to Lawrence County, Tenn., when about eight years of age. When but fourteen years of age she married Mr. McGee. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became the mother of the following named children: Mary J., Rebecca Ann, John H., William M., Josiah W., James M., Columbus L., Emily J., Thomas H., Solon H., Nancy E, and Jesse J. Josiah W. McGee began farming at an early age. and at the age of twenty-two married Miss Margaret Matthews, a native of Hardin County. Tenn. She was a member of the Congregational Church, and died December 30, 1884. The Doctor after his marriage moved to Wright County, Mo., in 1866, then to Douglas County, same State, in 1868, to Ozark County, Mo., also in 1868, and to Benton County, Ark., in 1879. He studied medicine in 1868, commenced practicing in 1873, and still continues to practice. July 8, 1885, he married Miss Jane Wright, a native of Benton County, Ark., and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She died April 10, 1886. October 5, 1886, Dr. McGee married Miss Harriet W. Buttram, who was also a native of Benton County, Ark., born February 13, 1857, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. To the first marriage were born these children: John B., William N., James G., Eugene M., Omar P., Mary E. and George E. By the second marriage one child, Sarah E., was born. Dr. McGee volunteered in Company B. Col. Crew's command, infantry, Confederate army, in 1862, and served one year. He was in the battle of Shiloh. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.