Gregory, Worth Cornell – 1872-1952

BETTERFIELD, DAVIS, DEVORE, GREGORY, MANHARDT, MCCARTY, WHALEY

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 4/25/2022 at 08:17:37

Life Story of Worth Cornell Gregory
Worth Cornell Gregory was born Jan. 4, 1872 in Knoxville, and died Aug. 30, 1952, in Tama at the age of 80 years, 7 months and 26 days.
He was the youngest of the 13 children of Harriett and James Gregory, pioneer settlers of Marion County. Four of the children died in infancy. Those growing to maturity were Sarah Manhardt, Nancy Jane Devore, Timothy Richard, James Douglas, Melissa McCarty, John Fredrich, Myrtle Adda, and Lilly Betterfield. Worth grew to manhood at Knoxville and married Sylvia Whaley, Dec. 2, 1896 at her parent’s home south of Knoxville.
Two sons were born from this marriage: James T. Gregory, now of Hampton and Harold W. Gregory of Tama.
Worth Gregory was a farmer near the city limits of Knoxville. He loved farming and always kept an interest in it even after arthritis forced him to retire. They lived in Knoxville several years after retiring, then later lived in Des Moines. The last three years he had made his home with Harold in Tama.
He made friends easily and through the years has accumulated a host of friends in Des Moines, Sheldon, and Tama besides his hometown, Knoxville. In spite of intense pain of arthritis, he was always cheerful and interested in everyone and his or her welfare. He joined the Presbyterian Church early in his married life. He was a member of Knights of Pythias and IOOF Lodges and was very active for several years.
Surviving are his wife, Sylvia, (who is ill), sons, Harold and Jim, and their wives and children; Mrs. Lee Davis of Lincoln, Nebr.; James T. Gregory Jr., Des Moines; Richard Gregory, Hampton; children of James and Wanda May Gregory of Tama, daughter of Harold, also his aged mother-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Whaley of Knoxville. Many nieces and nephews will mourn his going. All sisters and brothers preceded him in death.
Services were held in the First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, Iowa, September 3, 1952, at 2 p.m. The Rev. R. O. Braaten, pastor, officiated. Burial was made in Graceland Cemetery.
Source: Knoxville (IA) Journal; Thursday, September 18, 1952, page 5