John W. Gregg (1856-1949)

GREGG

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/3/2022 at 22:45:59

John W. Gregg
(November 8, 1856 – March 2, 1949)

John W. Gregg, whose home is in Lake Creek Township, was born on the 8th of November, 1850, in Red Rock, Marion County, Iowa, and is a worthy representative of an old and honored family of Calhoun County, his parents being Tillman P. and Melissa (Grubb) Gregg, both natives of Ohio. His paternal grandfather was Dr. Finley Gregg, a physician who died in Michigan. As a life work the father of our subject chose fanning. He served for four years as a loyal soldier in the Union army in the Civil war. From Michigan he removed to Marion County, Iowa, at an early day, and in 1869 came to Calhoun County, which at that time was almost an unbroken wilderness, and he was the first to locate between Rockwell City and Twin Lakes. Here he spent the remainder of his life, and was actively identified with the country's development and prosperity. He first purchased two hundred acres of land and later bought and sold several farms. In his political views he was a strong Republican, and he took a very prominent and influential part in public affairs, being a member of the board of supervisors six years and county treasurer four years. It was while he was filling the latter office that the county seat was removed from Lake City to Rockwell City. He was a recognized leader in political affairs, and did all in his power to advance the interests of his adopted county and promote the general prosperity. Religiously he was a member of the Christian church. He died on the 3d of March. 1901. and in his death the community realized that it had lost a valued and useful citizen. His wife survives him and is now living with a daughter in this county. Of the children born to them Martha is now deceased. Those living are Emaline, John W., James A., Samuel K., Kate, Walter S., Lydia, Sarah Jane and Stephen. During his boyhood John W. Gregg accompanied his parents on their removal to Calhoun County and received his education in the schools of this county. Throughout his active business life he has followed general farming, and in connection with the operation of his own farm, consisting of eighty acres, he also cultivates another tract of the same size which he rents. He raises from fifty to sixty acres of corn, and from forty to fifty acres of small grain, and leaves the remainder for pasture and meadow. He keeps from twenty-five to forty head of cattle and owns a fine full-blooded Hereford bull, preferring that breed of stock. In March, 1886. Mr. Gregg was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Simpson, a native of Jasper County, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Hannah Simpson, and by this union have been born five children, as follows: Eva L., Ethel, Paul T., Lola and Robert C. In politics Mr. Gregg is a Republican, and in religious faith is identified with the Holiness people, being non-sectarian in belief. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.447]