Who’s Who in Tennessee, 1911, p.435
Tennessee State Library and ArchivesMcGILL, John Thomas, teacher; born Monroe County, Tenn., October 13, 1851; son of Robert and Elizabeth (Hogg) McGill; father was a farmer; maternal grandparents Samuel and Mary Polly (Talbot) Hogg; educated Looney’s High School, Gilmer, Tex., and Fayetteville, Ark.; graduated Vanderbilt University, B.S. 1879, Ph.D. 1881, Ph.G. 1882; studied in Berlin University, 1885-86; entered educational work in early life; married Lizzie B. Allen, July 6, 1893; member of Old Oak Club, and Phi Beta Kappa (Vanderbilt Chapter), and member of several scientific societies; Professor Organic Chemistry and Dean of the Department of Pharmacy, Vanderbilt University
The Vanderbilt Alumnus
June, 1946, p. 8Dr. McGill Dies
Dr. John Thomas McGill, A'79, Ph.G.'82, Ph.D.'81, professor-emeritus of chemistry, and former dean of the old University School of Pharmacy, died at his home on the Vanderbilt Campus early on the morning of April 11, 1946. He was approaching his ninety-fifth birthday. Doctor McGill is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth Allen, A'96, a daughter, Elsa McGill (Mrs. John F.) Daley, A'17, a son, Allen L. Mc-Gill, A'16, and three grandsons: Lt. John F. Daley, Jr., with the AAF in Germany, T-5 Allen McGill Daley, and John Thomas McGill II.
Doctor McGill was prominent in Nashville educational and cultural circles for more than 50 years. He was born in Monroe County, son of the late Robert McGill and Elizabeth Hogg McGill, descendants of North Carolina Revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather was one of George Washington's soldiers. The family moved to Titus County. Tex., when Doctor McGill was 12 years old. He began study under a pioneer school teacher, Morgan H. Looney, and his diligence and ability were such that at the age of seventeen he was made an assistant teacher. His school later moved to Bentonville, Ark., and Doctor McGill became principal.
He left Bentonville in 1876 to enter Vanderbilt shortly after its founding and remained there until his death except for two years. In 1877 he returned to the Bentonville Grade School as principal and in 1885-86 he spent a year studying at the University of Berlin. Upon his graduation from Vanderbilt in 1879, with a B.S. degree, Doctor McGill was elected fellow, and assistant in chemistry. He took graduate courses in chemistry, geology, physics; and astronomy, and received a Ph.D. degree in 1881. After his year abroad he continued teaching chemistry, and was promoted to a full professorship in 1900 and retired in 1919 as emeritus professor of organic chemistry. He was for ten years secretary of the department of pharmacy after the resignation of several faculty members in 1880. He was dean of the school of pharmacy for the following eighteen years. He served also as a member the American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties. Several papers prepared by him on this subject were published various journals.
Doctor McGill was among the founders of the Vanderbilt Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and continued as secretary of the chapter for more than forty years. On his ninetieth birthday he was presented a testimonial for his work with the chapter. He was also a member of the famous "IV Club" before his marriage (See June, 1943, issue of the Vanderbilt Alumnus: "A Golden Anniversary.")
For many years he had been prominent, in the Tennessee Academy of Science and a member of the Old Oak Club.
He was elected president of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association in 1881 after joining in 1880. On becoming historian in 18 he began collecting material for an alumni register to include as far as possible address and brief biographical notice each alumnus.
He was also chairman of the executive committee of 1892-93 which organized the Vanderbilt University Fund Association. This idea has since been revived and has grown into the movement called Living Endowment.
The Tennessee Academy of Science in 1932 named the biological building at Reelfoot Lake the John Thomas McGill Laboratory in appreciation of his work with the academy. On his retirement as secretary treasurer of the academy in 1939, he was elected honorary president for life.
Doctor McGill was a member of many scientific societies and his contributions to scientific magazines and papers read before learned societies are too numerous to mention. However, he took perhaps the greatest pride in the publication of The Vanderbilt Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a book published in 1944, undertaken and completed after he had passed his ninetieth birthday.
Pallbearers were Vice-Chancellor Madison Sarratt, Dr. George R. Mayfield, Dr. James M. Breckenridge, Dr. Louis J. Bircher, Hill Turner, E. E. Bryan, Dr. W. Goodpasture, Dr. G. Sydney McClellan, Prof. John Daniel, Prof. Irby R. Hudson, Dr. Jesse Shaver, Dr. Edwin Mims, Dr. L. C. Glenn, Prof. James A. Robins, Judge Robert H. Marr, Prof. C. B. Wallace, Bernard Fensterwald, D. F. C. Reeves, Sr., Paul F. Eve, John H. Nye, S. Cecil Ewing, Dr. Robert M. Hawkins, Alec B. Stevenson, and W. M. Vaughn.
Dr. James W. Henley, pastor of the West End Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn., assisted by Dr. Jesse L. Cuninggim R’95, president-emeritus of Scarritt College, offciated at the service. Internment was in the Mt. Olivet Cemetary in Nashville.
70. Lon Hogg McGill
Born in Kentucky, lived with his family for many years in Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas. Came to Bentonville, Arkansas at the age of 19 to study law.
McGILL, Leonidas Hogg - Lon H. McGill, aged 77 years, a prominent and widely known Northwest Arkansas attorney, died at the family home on West Twelfth St., Bentonville this morning at 10:15 o’clock. His death was not unexpected as Attorney McGill had been ill the past two months and for the past ten days had been gradually sinking. All of his children were at his bedside during his last hours. Mr. McGill was dean of attorneys of Benton County and probably the oldest practicing lawyer in Northwest Arkansas. He was admitted to the bar in Bentonville in 1876. For many years he was a member of the law firm of McDaniel and McGill and later with McGill and Lindsey. A few years ago the firm name was changed to McGill & McGill, J.T. McGill entering the practice of law with his father. Attorney McGill had practiced law for 55 years. He practiced in Ozark, Clarksville and Morillton as well as in Bentonville. During this time, through his integrity and knowledge of law, he built up a large practice. Out of respect Judge Lee Seamster adjourned chancery court today. Leonidas Hogg McGill was born in Kentucky Feb 22, 1854 and when a young man came to Bentonville and studied law. On December 26, 1881 he was married in Bentonville, to Miss Mittie Peel, a daughter of the late Congressman Sam W. Peel, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Peter Carnahan. To them were born ten children, nine of whom are now living. Besides his widow the following children survive him: Mrs. Elizabeth Bohart and Mrs. Katherine Dickson of Fayetteville; Mrs. Mary Davis of the home; J.T. McGill of the home; L.H. McGill, Jr. of Los Angeles; Charles McGill of Ft. Smith; Sam McGill of Tulsa and Wm. and Berry McGill of Needles, Calif. Funeral Services for Mr. McGill will be held at the First Presbyterian Church Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The Rev. Arthur Henderson will have charge of the service, assisted by the Rev. Stanley Hayden and Rev. Dana Dawson of Ft. Smith. (Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun 7/16/31)
Funeral services were held for L.H. McGill, prominent Northwest Arkansas attorney, of this city, at the First Presbyterian Church on last Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The church was filled to capacity with friends and relatives who wished to pay their last respects to one who had lived among us so many years in a modest quiet way. Many and beautiful were the floral tributes. Leonidas Hogg McGill was born Feb. 22, 1854 in Kentucky, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth Hogg McGill, pioneer southern families. The family lived for many years in Gilmer, Texas from whence Mr. McGill came to Bentonville at the age of 19 years to enter the law school of Morgan H. Looney who conducted the school in this city. His marriage with Miss Mittie Peel, daughter of the late Congressman Samuel W. Peel took place Dec. 26, 1881, the late Rev. Peter Carnahan, Cumberland Presbyterian minister, performing the ceremony. Practicing law for over 50 years in Morrilton, Clarksville, and Bentonville he had had his law office coninuously for over 42 years in its same location over the First National Bank, facing south Main Street. Rev. R.S. Hayden, pastor of the M.E. Church, South and Rev Dana Dawson of Fort Smith, conducted the funeral services. Burial took place in the City Cemetery. (Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun 7/23/31) ed. Notes: Other newspaper accounts add the following: He was known as Lon McGill and served for several years as the private secretary to U. S. Senator James H. Berry when Mr. Berry was governor of Arkansas from 1883 to 1885. Senator Berry was an uncle of Mittie Peel McGill. A daughter, Marguerite, died some years ago. His brother was Dr. Tom McGill, who for many years was a member of the faculty of Vanderbilt University.
156. John Thomas McGill
Known as Tom. According to his obituary and his nephew, Tom McGill, he was never married. One account says he left his bride at the alter. No children
157. Lon H. McGill
Living in Mesa, Arizona 1973
Dress caught on fire, she died as a result of burns.