Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Richard McGehee
Richard McGehee was born 16 July 1835 in Mayslick, Mason County, Kentucky. His parents were Jesse McGehee and Sarah McCracken. The McGehee family moved to Daviess County before 1840 and lived near the mcCrackens in Barr Township. Three McGehee brothers served in the Civil War--none of them in the same unit.
Richard McGehee, married Evaline Berry 13 January 1846 in Daviess County, Indiana and they had eight children. Two daughters died as children. In 1850 their household consisted of Richard, Evaline, their two small children and Sarah McGehee and her small son. Sarah (Berry) McGehee was the widow of Richard's brother Charles, and she was also the sister of Evaline (Berry) McGehee. This Sarah later married William Nelson McCracken. On the next farm lived the John McCracken family whose four sons William N>, John J., Thomas andHenry enlisted in Company "G" 42nd Regiment of Indiana Volunteers on 28 September 1861 at the same time that Richard McGehee enlisted. Two farms away Charles McCracken lived with his parents. he also joined the 42nd, making six very close relatives in the same unit.
Richard McGehee was 36 years old when he was mustered in as a private 10 October 1861 at Evansville, Indiana. He left his wife and six children in Daviess County. When the five day Battle of Stones River began Richard Was a sharpshooter with the rank of Corporal. He was assighned to picket duty with the 42nd on the night of 3 January. After midnight, the 42nd was attacked by the Confederates and in thirty to forty minutes they lost nearly half the total of 150 men killed and wounded in the entire battle. Richard was wounded in both thighs during the early morning hours of 4 January, and died as a result on 7 Juanaury 1863. He is buried in Murfreesboro National Cemetery.
The death of Richard McGehee left Evaline to raise six children alone. Tragedy continued to plague the family, however, and Evaline died 8 January 1865--just two years after her husband's death. Now the six children were orphans. The oldest daughter died a few months after her mother, leaving five orphans. They were appointed a guardian, but tradition has it that they were raised in different families of relatives. At this time most of the relatives lived in the same neighborhood and attended Mount Olive Baptist Church. It was common for them to take in children who needed a home and raise them along with their own.
Contributed by Mrs. Jeanne Everett, McCracken Family Historian