JOHN L. GREGG

GREGG, MILLER

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 3/16/2003 at 15:18:24

JOHN L. GREGG

John L. Gregg, Local Lumberman Passes Suddenly

Was Prominent in Civic, Social, Business Circles; Funeral Held on Friday

John L. Gregg, 62, long prominent in Postville business, civic and social circles, passed away suddenly last Tuesday afternoon at Postville hospital. He was stricken ill the day before after he and his wife had eaten their dinner, and was taken to the hospital for care.

Mr. Gregg had been in the lumber business here for many years. His father, James Gregg, purchased the yard in 1893 when the family moved here from Monona. Upon his death in 1915, John Gregg and his brother, Guy Page Gregg, assumed ownership and together they operated it until Guy's passing in September, 1919. Since then he had operated the business alone until last spring when he took his two sons, Keith and James, into a partnership.

Mr. Gregg served as a Councilman from 1922 to 1932. He was a trustee of the Postville Community Hospital since 1934. He had served as president of the Postville Commercial Club, was a director of the Big-Four Fair board and actively participated in many of the community's civic organizations. He held membership in the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges, in the Kiwanis Club and was a charter member of the Commercial Club.

In every worthwhile movement for the betterment of this community, Mr. Gregg was found at the forefront taking a leading role.

Born at Monona August 17, 1884, he came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Gregg to Postville when he was nine years old. He attended the Postville schools and later entered the dray and transfer business before becoming associated with the lumberyard.

He was married to Miss Bertha Miller on September 14, 1911, and to this union two sons were born, Keith and James, who with Mrs. Gregg and three grandchildren survive.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Schutte funeral home, with the Rev. Eldon L. Seamans, pastor of the Postville Community church officiating. Masonic commitment services were held at the grave in Postville cemetery where interment was made. During the service at the funeral home Alan Beucher sang a solo, accompanied at the piano by Jean Douglass. Serving as pallbearers were R. M. Hecker, Louis L. Hill, Fred J. Miller, Harvey H. Douglass, L. O. Beucher and John Falb, Jr.

The funeral home was filled to capacity for the service, with the overflow of approximately 100 people being accommodated in the basement where a loud- speaker had been set up during the service.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated Dec. 31, 1946, from my mother's obituary collection.