Gregson, Rev. M.

GREGSON, ROBERTSON, HARRIS, CARPENTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/28/2012 at 09:37:45

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

UNION TOWNSHIP

Page 701

GREGSON, Rev. M.--Was born July 10, 1831, in Owen county, Indiana, where his father remained for five years thereafter, and then moved into Morgan county. In 1854 the whole family, excepting a brother and sister, journeyed to Texas and resided in Kaufman county. There seemed a disposition to settle in a more desirable locality, accordingly in the fall of 1855 they turned their steps northward and safely reached the settlement in Union township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch now resides. He married Mary Jane Robertson, June 15, 1851, in Owen county, Indiana. By this marriage there were two children: Theodore P. and America Ann. Theodore P. died at the age of five. America Ann married W.H. Harris, and now resides in Chapin, Iowa. Mr. Gregson was married the second time September 30, 1858, to Eliza A. Carpenter. There are ten children by his present wife: Mabel A. (born October 20, 1859), Commodore G. (born August 30 1861, and died March 1, 1862), Mary J.F. (born March 26, 1864, and died September 3, 1865), Dayton P. (born September 4, 1866), Amos B. (born November 25, 1868), Morton M. (born Febraury 23, 1871), Eli M. (born May 15, 1873), Levi L. (born September 28, 1875), Nellie E. (born September 5, 1877), Sarah A. (born December 2, 1879). Rev. Gregson was licensed in 1852, and ordained to preach the gospel in the regular Baptist Church in 1854. He became pastor of the Baptist Church in Union township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, in the spring of 1856, and with the exception of two intervals of about five years in all, has acted in this capacity until the present time. For the past six years he has presided over the little flock with no intermission. He has been so well esteemed for his integrity, christian character and valuable services rendered the church and congregation, that they have not consented to his leaving his charge. It is now twenty-five years since he commenced to minister to this people--a length of time seldom known in the history of any church. He owns a fine farm, well watered by a never failing stream, considerable timber, a large orchard, cattle, hogs, a good house, and all things for comfort.