Background
Randal William McGavock was born on August 10, 1826 in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, Jacob McGavock, fought in the Creek War of 1813–1814 with Andrew Jackson. His mother was Louisa Caroline (Grundy) McGavock.
Randal William McGavock was born on August 10, 1826 in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, Jacob McGavock, fought in the Creek War of 1813–1814 with Andrew Jackson. His mother was Louisa Caroline (Grundy) McGavock.
McGavock attended a private academy, The Classical and Mathematical Seminary run by Professor Moses Stevens (1790–1841) in Nashville, which closed down in 1846. From 1843 to 1846, he attended the University of Nashville.
He served as the Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee from 1858 to 1859. He was a fourth-generation Irish-American. In 1847, he enrolled at the Harvard Law School, where he was active in the debating club called Kent Club and the Moot court.
He received his law degree from the Harvard Law School in 1849.
He then went on a twenty-month tour of Europe, Asia and Africa. He wrote articles about his experiences abroad for the Daily Nashville Union and published them in a book in 1854.
Upon his return from Europe, McGavock worked as a lawyer in Nashville. He joined the A.O.M.C., a fraternal organization whose members wore black robes and hoods during ceremonies.
He also oversaw his family plantations in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.
His portrait was painted by Washington Bogart Cooper (1802–1888) circa 1850. McGavock was active in the Tennessee Democratic Party. Foreign example, he canvassed for James Buchanan in the 1856 campaign.
He served as Mayor of Nashville from 1858 to 1859.
In 1860, he campaigned for John C. Breckinridge. He was a strong proponent of states"s rights.
Prior to the American Civil War of 1861–1865, McGavock established a militia in Tennessee among the Irish. During the war, he served as Lieutenant
Colonel of the 10th Tennessee C.S.A. in the Confederate States Army.
He bought their uniforms. In 1861, he was imprisoned in Fort Warren on Georges Island in Massachusetts for five months. In 1862, he resumed the fight.
However, he was killed in the Battle of Raymond near Raymond, Mississippi on May 12, 1863.
Finally, on Saint Patrick"s Day, 1866, he was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville during a ceremony conducted by the Masons.