Kentucky Advocate, Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky

Wednesday, March 14, 1894

P. T. Gentry Dead

He Died Monday Night at His Home in This County, in the 75th Year of His Age

Peter T. Gentry, one of the oldest and most widely known residents of Boyle County, died Monday night about seven o’clock.  His death was not unexpected, as an invalidism of several months had prepared his children to look for the end most any day.  For the past three weeks he has been extremely feeble, but his great will power sustained him to a remarkable degree.  The funeral was preached at the residence this morning at ten o’clock, by Rev. Robert Graham, of the Bible College, Lexington, after which the remains were followed to the grave by one of the longest processions ever seen in the county.

Peter T. Gentry was born in Madison County, Kentucky, December 19, 1820, but he has lived in Boyle for the last thirty-two years.  In early life he espoused Miss Martha Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith, of Madison County, who lived until fifteen years ago.  From this marriage the following children survive:  B. F. Gentry, of Lexington; P. T. Gentry, Jr., and F. M. Gentry, of New Orleans; James H., Richard, W. C., T. B. and Miss Julia Gentry, and Mrs. A. I. Caldwell, of this city.  Most of these were at the bedside of the deceased during his last illness and did all that human hands could do to make the remaining hours easy.

Mr. Gentry was a self-made man.  Starting out in life with industry, indomitable energy and shrewd business capacity, he succeeded in accumulating a fortune, and then managed the estate with rare foresight and judgement.  He traded extensively in live stock and his name is a familiar one in all the large trading centers in the south.  During the last few years he has not been in active business, having given his affairs into the management of his sons, but his counsels were always valuable.  He has been prominent in the financial circles of Boyle County for many years, being for a long time a Director in the Boyle National Bank.  In his home life he was everything that wife and children could wish – always kind, sympathetic and provident, and there was doubtless not a family in the country where parent and children dwelt together in more harmony or happiness.  His children mourn their loss; and in their sorrow have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends.

Peter T. Gentry, December 14, 1819 – March 12, 1894.  Martha S. Gentry, March 10, 1827 – May 25, 1879.  Bellevue Cemetery, Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky.