My Genealogy Hound

HON. JAMES GENTRY, Sr. The earliest trace known of the Gentry family is found in North Carolina, where James Gentry, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the Yadkin River in 1779. Nothing is definitely known of his ancestors. At the age of seventeen he left home and went to Barren County, Ky., where he followed farming and hunting, making the latter quite profitable. After some years he removed to Ohio County, Ky., where he married Elizabeth Hornback, the date of which is unknown. From there he moved to Daviess County, Ky., and in April, 1818, located on a tract of land containing over 1,000 acres in Spencer County, Ind., near the present site of Gentryville. He afterward purchased several hundred acres more of land surrounding him. He was remarkable for his energy and industry, and the interest which he took in the welfare of his neighbors, and the community in general. He had eight children: Matthew, who died at his father’s home in this county; Agnes, who married Benjamin Romine; Allen (deceased), who married Anna Roby; Hannah, wife of John Romine; Joseph, who lives near Lincoln City; Sarah (deceased), who married Madison Hall; Elizabeth (deceased), who married Enoch Lane, and James, who was born near the town bearing his name, February 4, 1819. He was reared on the farm, receiving a very good education. November 7, 1839, he married Elizabeth Montgomery, and has ever since been engaged in farming. He was also for a time in the mercantile business at Gentryville, and is now living on what is known as the old Shackleford farm. He has had six children who arrived at maturity, namely: Allen, Robert, James W., Eliza A. and Mary. (See sketches of Allen, Robert and James W. in this work.) Eliza A. married W. T. Bullock (see sketch); Elizabeth is the wife of Col. James S. Wright (see sketch); Mary is the wife of J. W. Haines. Mr. Gentry is a Democrat and represented this county in the Legislature from 1870 to 1873.