James Thomas McGehee was born in Harris County, Georgia on November 9, 1843 to James M. McGehee and Sarah Brown. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War in the 35th Georgia Infantry, the “Harris Guards”. He married Nida Spenser on 6 May, 1873 in Panola County, Mississippi and they had five children. Of the five, only the youngest, James Thomas, Jr., grew to adulthood.

James Thomas McGehee, Sr. was a farmer in Harris County, Georgia all of his adult life and was especially successful growing and selling cotton. He served as a representative from Harris County in the Georgia legislature from 1896 until 1899. He died on 10 June 1913 and is buried in Prospect Cemetery, Harris County, Georgia.