MCGREW, JAMES (1834 ~ 1912). James McGrew, Confederate veteran, was born in Mississippi in 1834, to William and Olivila Holiday McGrew. At the age of 5, McGrew's family immigrated to the Republic of Texas and eventually settled in South Texas. The McGrews appear to have followed other family members to Texas. Three of his cousins, William Alexander, George Washington, and Hardin Richardson McGrew, all fought for Texas' independence in 1836.
By 1860, the McGrew family had settled in Refugio County, Texas. James, and his brother, William, both enlisted in the Confederacy. James joined in either 1863 or 1864, and served in Captain A. C. Jones' Company in Santos Benavides Regiment in General Henry Hopkins Sibley's Brigade of the Trans-Mississippi Army. His brother, William, served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 20th Texas Infantry. Other than what was provided above, no other information is currently known about James McGrew's service.
After the War, he returned to Texas and settled in Goldwaithe, Mills County, around 1897. No longer able to work as a ranchman, he successfully applied for a Confederate Pension from the State of Texas in March of 1901. After receiving his pension, he moved to Brady, and on July 30, 1908, moved to Austin to live in the Confederate Men's Home. He remained in the Home until his death on August 22, 1912. He was later buried in the Texas State Cemetery.
Having never married, McGrew listed a Mr. J. G. Simpson, of Brady, to be notified upon his death.
Information taken from materials provided by descendant, Robert McGrew; Confederate Pension Application # 7994; and Confederate Home Roster records. |
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