My Genealogy Hound

Rev. George T. Stainback, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of McMinnville, is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth occurring April 4, 1829, in Brunswick County, where he remained until about the age of six years. His parents, George W. and Lucretia T. (Eppes) Stainback, were both born in Virginia in 1795, the former in Brunswick County and the latter in Sussex County; they were of German and English descent respectively. Marrying in 1818, they immigrated to Limestone County, Ala., in 1835, thence to Memphis, Term., in 1842, where Mr. Stainback died two years later. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, was an honest, upright man, and with the exception of being in the livery business at Memphis, he followed farming through life. His widow died at Columbus, Miss., in 1874. The subject of this biography, George T., is the fifth of eleven children, and the only one now living. After attending lesser educational institutions he entered the University of Mississippi, which, after four years’ attendance, graduated him with the degree of A. B. in July, 1854; two years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him, and in 1867 he was further honored with the degree of D. D. In 1855 and 1856 he acted as assistant professor of Latin and Greek in his alma mater. He continued in charge of his pastorate at Columbus, Miss., thirteen consecutive years, and in 1872 removed to Huntsville, Ala., where he followed his calling two years. In 1874 he accepted a call from the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Memphis, remaining there four years, but in 1879 returned to his old charge at Columbus. Four years later he came to McMinnville, where he has since attracted much attention by his ability, eloquence and piety. Dr. Stainback not only preaches true Christianity but practices it as well, and is today recognized as one of the leading divines of the South. Miss Clara B. Grady, a native of Gibson County, Tenn., became his wife October 19, 1854, and died December 5, 1864. He wedded Miss Mary Mason of Columbus, Miss., January 4, 1871. To his first marriage four children were born, and to his present one three children.