Memorial, Hon. George M. Terry, 1847-1914, Campbell Co. VA

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Submitted by Maureen Pierce

In Memory of Hon. George M. Terry
Hon. George Miller Terry, son of Captain James and Mildred Terry, was born 
September 2, 1847 at Brook Neal, Campbell County, Va.  He belonged to a large 
and distinguished family of old English and Scotch-Irish ancestors, who 
immigrated to Virginia in the early colonial days.  He enlisted in 1864 in 
Company A of the Virginia Reserves, artillery, which guarded the railroad from 
Richmond to Danville, Va.  He was also on duty at High Bridge, Farmville and in 
the battles of Sailor's Creek and Chafin's Farm, Va., where he was wounded in 
the jaw and captured by the federals under General Ewell, April 6, 1865 and 
taken to Point Lookout, Md., where he was parolled July 6, 1865 and returned 
home.  He entered a private school and remained from 1865 to 1867, when he came 
west and began merchandising with his uncle, Judge H. C. Bailey, at Hickman, Ky.  
He married Miss Albertine Winston (a native of Weakley county, Tenn.)  June 14, 
1871.  In the fall of 1871 he located on a farm one mile west of where is now 
the town of Sharon, Tenn., where in January, 1874 he moved his residence, newly 
built, and opened one of the first stores at this new railroad station.  He was 
elected justice of the peace in 1878 and continued in this office (except one 
year) until his death October 11, 1914, at 4:30 a.m.  He joined the Hickman 
Lodge No. 96 of the I. O. O. F. in 1868 and became a charter member of Sharon 
Lodge No. 208 in 1877, an held the offices of recording secretary and district 
deputy grand master at his death. He was also a member of the Dresden 
Encampment.  His brethren of the Odd Fellows order showed their high esteem of 
his worth by several lodges joining in the funeral march to the number of one 
hundred or more.  Rose Lodge No. 125, also claimed his membership in the order 
of Knights of Pythias.  All fraternal orders held a high regard for his because 
he was truly fraternal in his heart and practice.  He loved to help the needy 
and sympathize with those in distress, or in need of a friend and brother 
beloved.  He was a greater lover of children and young people and showed this 
interest not only in his home life, but also in his associations with friends 
and comrades and the public school.  He was notary public and attorney at law 
for any year and made a good reputation for prompt and accurate business 
ability, as well as equity and justice in the legal profession of law.  His 
general rule was to settle every case peacably (sic) and by satisfactory 
compromise, if possible, on right principles.  The poor sought his counsel 
because they learned that he heard them gladly and gave to them freely of his 
warm heart and active mind and body.  To serve his friends was his delight and 
job.  He longed to the United Confederates and attended a great many reunions.  
They showed their appreciation of him by attending his funeral in a body and 
several spoke in loving and tender words.  He was a life-long Democrat, and 
attended, with two exceptions, for forty years every state convention.  Last, 
but no least, he was a strong believer in the Christian religion.  He professed 
faith in Christ in boyhood and united with the Missionary Baptist church at 
Brook Neal, Va.  After marriage he joined with his beloved wife the Methodist 
church, at Sharon, Tenn., and remained in this church until some years after the 
death of his wife, when he took a letter, but did not connect himself with an 
other church.  He was friendly and helpful to all institutions for the benefit 
of his fellowman, and especially liberal in building schools and churches.  He 
was the most devoted father the writer has ever known, and was never happier 
than when surrounded by his children at home.  His going away has  left a 
vacancy in the heart, the home and the community that can never be filled by 
anyone else.  May the good Lord sustain and comfort the many friends and 
relatives scattered from old Virginia to California.  Besides a host of friends, 
who are bereaved, the greatest loss is sustained by his seven children, viz.: 
Albert G. Terry, St. Louis, Mo.,; George M. Terry, Sommerville, Tenn.; Mrs. 
Robert Tidwell and Mrs. G. T. Mitchell, Miss Fern Terry, Charles E. Terry and 
Herman R. Terry, of Sharon, Tenn.  These dear children have the sincere sympathy 
and love of a large circle of relative sand friends who will counsel with and 
help them when needed.  He was also greater devoted to his two sons-in-law and 
two daughters-in-law and seven grandchildren.  He was the fifth member of his 
father's family to die and still leaves six brothers and three living sisters 
viz.: James M. Terry and Joseph O. Terry and Mrs. Eliza Puckett, of Brook Neal, 
Va.; Rev. Henry L. Terry, of Newington, Va.; Mrs. Mollie Maddox, Naruna, Va.; 
Mrs. Kate M. Holt, Lynchburg, Va.; Robert L. Terry, Pamplins City, Va.; Rev. 
Howson B. Terry, Martin Tenn.; Isham F. Terry, Chattanooga, Tenn.  These 
relatives and friends mourn the great loss of a devoted brother, affectionate 
father, grandfather and affectionate father, grandfather and helpful friend and 
neighbor.  The memorial services were conducted in the presbyterian church, 
instead of the home on account of the rain, Rev. L. E. McCoy, of McKenzie, 
Tenn., officiating.  The large audience crowded the church until there was no 
standing room.  Touching tributes were made to his persona life and character by 
representatives of the Confederate Veterans, the public school board, the I. O. 
O. F. Order and the different churches.  Among those who spoke were: Wm. J. 
Allen, John M. Glass, Dr. B. T. Bondurant, Colonel E. E. Tansil, W. E. Tansil, 
Attorney J. R. Thomason of Dresden,; Rev. B. S. McLemore, P. C., Methodist 
church; Rev. Jackson Presbyterian church and Rev. Howson B. Terry, who had been 
intimately associated with his brother's home for forth years. The largest 
procession, perhaps, ever leaving Sharon, followed his remains to Mt. Vernon, 
where they were laid to rest under the honors of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Noble Grand Jodie Nowlin in charge, and several lodges joining the 
Sharon Lodge No. 208.  The floral designs were many and beautiful, including 
individual offerings and wreaths from his children, the Odd Fellow lodge, the 
Baptist Ladies' Aid Society and the Cemetery Association.
                             Howson B. Terry.
             Martin, Tenn., October 13, 1914