McGhee, Silas Andrew: Born Feb. 12, 1878, near Canton, N. C. Son of George Ira and Sallie Mosser McGhee. Educated in public schools and Waynesville Academy. Licensed to preach Dec. 6, 1899; and served as a missionary to the Cherokee Indians for two years. After this he united with the United Brethren Church and served a pastorate of four years in Greene County, Tenn. Admitted in orders in 1910. Served eight charges and one year as evangelist in nineteen years. A successful evangelist pastor; paid old church debts, built churches and parsonages. An acceptable preacher wherever he was sent. Married July 1, 1904, Miss Sarah Henry, Newport, Tenn. They had two sons. Death came unexpectedly. He returned home from Conference at Chattanooga on Monday and died the following Sunday, Oct. 14, 1929, in the parsonage at Pennington Gap, Va., to which he had been returned for the third year. Buried at Emory, Va.

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: Silas Andrew McGhee

[Silas Andrew Mcgee]

Race: White

Birth Date: 12 Feb 1878

Residence Place: Washington, Tennessee, USA

Physical Build: Medium

Height: Medium

Hair Color: Gray

Eye Color: Gray

Relative: Sarah Jane McGhee

Silas Andrew McGhee was born near Canton, Haywood County, North Carolina, February 12, 1878, and died in the parsonage at Pennington Gap, Virginia, 6:00 A, M., October 14, 1929. He was the son of George Ira and Sallie Mosser McGhee, being second of thirteen children. His father was a farmer, and the boyhood of Brother McGhee was like that of the average country boy. He was of Methodist stock, his parents being devout Christians and members of the Methodist Church. Throughout his boyhood and youth, he was surrounded by religious influences. At the early age of fourteen he was happily converted and joined the Methodist Church at Canton, N. C. His education was acquired in the public schools of Haywood Co., N. C. and Waynesville Academy, and was enhanced by diligent study and much reading.

Soon after his conversion he felt the call to preach, which, to him, was imperative. He never doubted or questioned his glorious conversion or his divine call to preach the gospel. Both were as real to him as his own existence. He was licensed to preach December 16, 1899, and served as a missionary to the Cherokee Indians for two years. After this he united with the United Brethren Church and served Otterbein Church in Greene Co., Tenn., for four years. His pastorate there was very fruitful; many were added to the church, and a new church was built. His reason for joining the V. B. Church was that the Western N. C. Conference was crowded, and the presiding elder was unable to give him supply work. He was admitted into the traveling connection of the Holston Conference at Chattanooga, Tenn., October 1920.

He was married to Miss Sarah Henry, of Newport, Tennessee, July 21, 1904. To this union were born two sons, Dwight Haddon and Grant Oliver. Both of these sons were educated at Emory and Henry College, Dwight H. is now a supply preacher in the Holston Conference, having been licensed to preach a week before this session met. Grant O. is teaching at his first school near Roanoke, Va. No father was ever more devoted to his sons and made greater sacrifices for their moral, religious and intellectual development, and no father was ever blessed with two finer sons.

Brother McGhee served the following charges: Hawkins Circuit three years; Louisville Circuit three years; Ducktown Circuit one year; Fall Branch Circuit one year; Elizabethton one year; Bulls Gap Circuit three years; East Park two years; district evangelist one year; Bluff City Circuit one year; Broadford Circuit one year; and Pennington Gap two years and returned for the third. Wherever he labored success attended his efforts; under his ministry people were converted and added to the Church, and believers were built up in the holy faith, and led into a life of Christian service. All the interests of the Church were dear to him and were conscientiously cared for. Besides his ministry in spiritual things, he built churches and parsonages, paid off old debts and developed the material interests of the church. He served on some of the various Conference boards and committees. Whatever he did was well done, and the service rendered was willing and sincere.

He realized his inadequate preparation for his high calling and tried to overcome this lack by diligent study, buying the latest and best books. He accumulated a valuable library and stored his mind with the contents of choice and standard books; but first, he was a devoted student of the Bible. It was the teaching of the inspired Word that he preached to others and practiced in his own life. His faith in God and the integrity of the Holy Scriptures was the chief secret of his fruitful ministry.

He was possessed of common sense and splendid business ability and knew how to pay church debts. With him however the preaching of the gospel and the saving of souls were the paramount issues; during his ministry over two thousand souls were led to Christ and added to the Church. He was a good preacher and especially gifted as a revivalist. He was a man of one work. His ministry was the absorbing interest of his life. He knew nothing else than to preach the gospel of redemption and to give himself with his whole heart and with great zeal to his life work. The people everywhere he served recognized him as a preacher of good ability, and his preaching was always most acceptable to them. He loved the doctrines and standards of the Church and upheld the faith with positive loyalty. He was never happier than when defending the truth of the gospel.

To Brother McGhee Methodism was an agent of the Lord in directing his work. He loved her doctrines, he magnified in his personal living her lofty standards of positive holiness, he was the heart of loyalty to her methods of procedure and rejoiced in her as the highest and best expression of Apostolic Christianity. He was a true friend, a kind husband, a loving father and a loyal citizen.

Brother McGhee attended the session of the Conference in Chattanooga, October 1929, and was entertained in the home of the writer of this sketch with his dear friend Hale S. Hamilton. I don't think 1 ever saw him so hopeful and full of zeal for the Lord's work. He never tired talking about his people at Pennington Gap, and his new church, of which he was the enterpriser and which was near completion. He returned home from Conference on Monday and complained of being sick but did not take his bed until Wednesday. He continued to grow worse all the while, and passed to his reward Sunday morning October 14, His suffering was great, but he bore it with patience and Christian fortitude.

The good people at Pennington Gap loved Bro. McGhee and esteemed him highly for his work. They met all the funeral expenses and showed every possible kindness to the family. The funeral service was conducted in our Church at Pennington Gap, Va., Oct. 16, by his presiding elder, P. L. Cobb, assisted by the writer and the pastor of the Baptist Church. His remains were Interred at Emory, Va. to await the resurrection morning. His good wife who stood by him so faithfully in the work, and his two sons, have the sympathy and prayers of the Church.

While writing this sketch 1 received a special delivery from his son Dwight, a law student at Cumberland University, saying: " I have been called of God to preach his word, it has been on my mind day and night, so I am going to answer the call."

Submitted by: E. H. Cassidy – Holston Conference Journal – 1930 – PP: 85 - 87