Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-11-03
DEATH OF THE HON. MEREDITH p.
GENTRY.

GENTRY.
This distinguished citizen died yesterday
morning at the residence Of his kinswoman,
Mrs. HoGdATT, a few miles from this city.
Hishealth has been frail for more than year
past, but was thought to have improved du-
ring the past summer. A few weeks since,
however, he was attacked with a disease Of
the brain which gradually extinguished the
light Of his fine intellect and at length
ended his life The intelligence will carry
sadness to a wide circle of friends, not only
in this State, but throughout the nation.
Col GENTRY, at the time Of his death,
was about fifty-fve years of age, and, we be-
lieve, was a native Of North Carolina. He
was reared, however, in Williamson county,
in this State, where he resided until
about twelve years ago, when he removed TO
Bedford county. He came early before
the people, and first saw service in a
public capacity, in the Legislature Of Ten
nessee, in 1885. To this body he was elected
a second time in 1887. While in this sphere,
hegave evidence Of the qualities which after
wards made him a shining figure in the
National Legislature, TO which he was sent
from his Congressional District in 1889, and
reelected in lS4l. At the close of this laet
term, he voluntarily retired to his farm, but
at the call Of his constituents returned to
Congress in 1915, and remained a member
until 1858. In 1855 he became the Ameri-
can candidate for Governor Of this State, but
was defeated by ANDREW JOHNSON, now
President Of the United States, after an ard
nous and excited canvass. He remained in
private life until the autumn of 1861, when
he was sent to the Confederate Congress
at Richmond, where he served one term,
and finally retired. In politics, Colonel
GENTRY was a Wing, and acted with that
party until the Presidential election of 1852,
when he declined to support the nomination
Of General ScoTT. His views upon all po-
litical subjects were catholic and conserva-
tive. During his congressional service he
spoke frequently and freely, and was re-
garded as one of the leaders of his party on
the floor Of the House of Representatives.
His addresses before the people were nu-
merous, and we're marked by style of elo-
quence which made him one of the most at
tractive and effective speakers in the coun-
try.
Col. GENTRY's early education was gen.
eral .but not thorough. Being possessed of
ample means, he devoted his attention to
farming, and his intellect was not trained
in one of the learned professions. His in
formation, however, was extensive, and his
mind of the highest order-clear in its
perceptions and powerful in its grasp Of
subject. By nature he was an orator,
and there have been few men in the Congress
Of the United States who had the faculty
always to command a more attentive hear
ing than he. His presence was imposing
and distinguished, his countenance ANNA
ted, his voice rich and full, and when tho
roughly aroused his speaking was most i'm
pressive. In his private relations he was uni
versally esteemed. His spirits were always
bouyant, and his social gifts remarkable.
Though engaged in fierce political encoun-
tiers, he never forfeited the respect of his
adversaries, but exerted by his suave and
genial demeanor an influence to assuage the
rancor Of partizanship, and perhaps no
public man in leaving the stage of action,
left fewer personal enemies; and in his death
all will attest the high gifts and rare excel
lencies of his character which he possessed.