Date: February 20, 1936

J. M. Gentry
Submitted by Lynda Johnson

LAST RITES FOR
MR. J.M. GENTRY

Is Buried At Osco Cemetery
With The Full Military
Honors

Served With Sherman

Was The Last Survivor Of
Company G, 6th Tennessee
Infantry

Mr. J.M. Gentry, Union soldier in the Civil War, was laid to rest with full military honors at Osco cemetery Sunday afternoon, a large number of friends braving the sub-zero weather in a tribute of respect and gratitude to one who served his country well in both war and peace. A detachment from the Minden Post of the American Legion fired the salute to the dead and a bugler sounded “taps” as his body was committed to the earth. Mr. J.H. Allbee, a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, removed the Stars and Stripes which draped his coffin and presented the flag to Mrs. Gentry. Comrade John Seaberg, of Upland , Nebraska , was with Mr. Allbee. The services at the home and at the Methodist church in Norman , were conducted by the Rev. B.E. Parish pastor of the Christian church of Minden , assisted by the Rev. Lowell Jones, pastor of the Norman church. The Norman quartet furnished the music.

Mr. Gentry was the last survivor of Company G, Sixth Tennessee volunteer infantry, in which he enlisted as a boy in his teens on April 18, 1862 . A member of the noble band of fighting Tennesseeans who remained loyal to the Union throughout the Civil War, he fought under General Scofield, General Thomas and General Sherman, taking part in the battles of Bitter Wells river; Stone river; Murfreesboro ; Chickamauga and Nashville , and Marching with Sherman to Atlanta , Georgia .

Jacob Madison Gentry was born in Knox county, near Knoxville , Tennessee , August 6, 1843 . After he was mustered out of the Union Army, following the surrender of Lee at Appomatox, returned to his southern home, remaining there until 1868, when he moved to Illinois , making his home with an uncle near Palmyra .

At Palmyra he met Nancy Ellen Hill, who became Mrs. Gentry on April 13, 1871 . To them were born six children, Oliver O., of Alliance, Nebraska; Mrs. Bessie Emal, of Minden, Grace, of Norman; Mrs. Bertha Maderer, of Buffalo, New York. Two sons Louis and Willas, preceded their father in death passing away in early manhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Gentry farmed in Illinois , until 1893, when they moved to Kearney county, arriving on March 8, 1893 , settling on a farm south of Norman , in Grant township. March 13, 1912 , they moved to Norman with their family and resided there until his death on February 12.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, a son, three daughters, sixteen grandchildren; 18 great grand children, a sister, two brothers, other relatives and many friends.

It was not the writer’s privilege to have known Mr. Gentry as a soldier, but we did have the pleasure of knowing him as a man. He came into our office frequently while the “womenfolk” were shopping in Minden , and we enjoyed his sharp repartee, his sturdy loyalty to a cause, his keen witted, intelligent appraisal of men and things. We were particularly impressed with his prophetic vision. Back in 1933 he told us there would be no crop in Kearney county in 1934, and comparatively little in 1935. He was looking forward to 1936 as a great corn year. He based his judgment on the experiences of many industrious years during which he was keenly alive to what was going on about him, and wise enough to read the pattern of the past and apply it to the future. May we have more citizens like Mr. Gentry.

 

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