John Wesley Gregory (1914)

BIVEN, BOWLSBY, GREGORY, QUINN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 12/18/2005 at 09:11:28

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 26, 1914
Page 1

Death Calls Walnut Pioneer - Was Early Settler Here And Came To Town In 1857

J. W. Gregory, a pioneer resident of Walnut township, passed away shortly after noon on Monday, at the ripe old age of eighty three years. He was one of the early settlers of that community, and we believe, the oldest Iowan living in Madison county. He is survived by seven children, five sons and two daughters; the wife preceded him in death four years ago. Funeral services were conducted at the M. E. church in Peru today, at 11 o'clock, and interment made in the Peru cemetery. More extended notice of the deceased's life will be published later.
_______________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, September 2, 1914
Page 2

Peru -

On the 24th, the death messenger claimed another of Walnut township's old settlers, John W. Gregory, who after long years of suffering passed to his reward being more than 80 years old.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday morning in the M. E. church, conducted by W. W. Williams of St. Charles, an old-time friend of the family, assisted by the pastor, Rev. J. L. Johnson and Rev. Raymond Clark of the Christian church.

A large crowd was present to express their sympathy for the sorrowing family.

The body was laid in the Peru cemetery, but the side of his wife who passed away over the silent river four years ago.

An obituary sketch will appear elsewhere in this paper.
_______________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 1914
Page 4

John W. Gregory was born in Morgan county, Indiana, July 15, 1831. Died at his home near Peru, Madison county, Iowa, Aug. 24, 1914, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 9 days.

In 1837, he moved with his parents to Louisa county, Iowa. Here the father died when the son was but 16 years old, and the mother followed him a year or two later, leaving the care and training of two younger sisters and two younger brothers to the elder brother, the subject of this sketch. This responsibility was faithfully discharged in loving service to those deprived of parental care. One of these brothers, Thomas, residing at Larned, Kansas, is the last remaining member of the family.

He was married to Debbie A. J. Quinn in Ringgold county, Iowa, April 3, 1861, who preceded him in death June 14, 1910. To them were born eight children, one dying in infancy, and seven survive the parents. The are: Mrs. Alwilda Biven of Alva, Okla., Sherman of Des Moines, Iowa; Jas. O., Freedom, Okla.; Frank and Ellis of Madison county, Iowa; Wesley of Hydro, Okla., and Mrs. Elmina Bowlsby of Omaha.

At an early day, the family moved to Marion county, Iowa, and in 1866, the subject of this sketch moved to a farm in Walnut township, this county, where he continued to live until his death, a period of over 48 years. Here himself and faithful companion in life reared their family, aided in the development of the religious life of the community in the establishment of churches, and had an active part in the general development of the community. Father and Mother Gregory belonged to that early type of Methodism that practiced their religion with fidelity and zeal, and left to their children a good heritage in the example of sober, righteous living. They first attended church at the old Reager school house, afterwards aiding in the organization and building of the Methodist churches at Peru and Bethel.

Funeral services, attended by a large assemblage of friends and neighbors, were held at the Peru M. E. church on Aug. 26th, Rev. W. W. Williams, a boyhood friend and former pastor of the deceased, conducted the services and was assisted by Rev. J. L. Johnson of the M. E. church and Rev. Raymond Clark of the Christian church. The seven surviving sons and daughters, with the exception of Mrs. Bowlsby, were all present.
_______________________

Coordinator's note: Middle name taken from 1931 Iowa Death Certificate for son Ellis.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen