Dr. James McKee was born 1844 in Raleigh, NC, the eldest of 3 known surviving children (2 boys/1 girl) born to Dr. William Henry McKee and his (1st) wife Susan Esther Battle.
James received his primary education at the Lovejoy Academy in Raleigh, and entered the University of NC (UNC) in 1859, but left his studies to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the war. (He never returned to finish his studies). He enlisted as a Private in Company D, NC 1st Regiment; but later served with the NC 7th where he remained until the end of the war.
After the Civil War, he entered Bellevue Medical College in New York, where he graduated in 1867, returning to Raleigh to start his practice. James later became Superintendent of Dorothea Dix Hospital, the first institution established by the NC Legislature for the mentally ill. Dr. McKee led the State Hospital through substantial advances. Perhaps his chief contribution to education was as a pioneer in providing instructional programs in medical sciences for African Americans. He was an advocate for expanded medical training at African American universities; and was professor of obstetrics & gynecology and Dean of Faculty at the State's first 4-yr medical school, The Leonard Medical School of Shaw University.
On September 30, 1873, 29-year old James married 27-year old Mildred "Millie" Sasser, daughter of John William Sasser and Lucinda Davis Haywood. They would become parents to 8 known surviving children, most of whom are buried here.
Dr. McKee died in 1912, just a few days past his 68th birthday. His wife of 39 years survived him another 13 years, passing in 1925 at age 79.
Dr. James McKee was born 1844 in Raleigh, NC, the eldest of 3 known surviving children (2 boys/1 girl) born to Dr. William Henry McKee and his (1st) wife Susan Esther Battle.
James received his primary education at the Lovejoy Academy in Raleigh, and entered the University of NC (UNC) in 1859, but left his studies to join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the war. (He never returned to finish his studies). He enlisted as a Private in Company D, NC 1st Regiment; but later served with the NC 7th where he remained until the end of the war.
After the Civil War, he entered Bellevue Medical College in New York, where he graduated in 1867, returning to Raleigh to start his practice. James later became Superintendent of Dorothea Dix Hospital, the first institution established by the NC Legislature for the mentally ill. Dr. McKee led the State Hospital through substantial advances. Perhaps his chief contribution to education was as a pioneer in providing instructional programs in medical sciences for African Americans. He was an advocate for expanded medical training at African American universities; and was professor of obstetrics & gynecology and Dean of Faculty at the State's first 4-yr medical school, The Leonard Medical School of Shaw University.
On September 30, 1873, 29-year old James married 27-year old Mildred "Millie" Sasser, daughter of John William Sasser and Lucinda Davis Haywood. They would become parents to 8 known surviving children, most of whom are buried here.
Dr. McKee died in 1912, just a few days past his 68th birthday. His wife of 39 years survived him another 13 years, passing in 1925 at age 79.
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