Gregson, Rev. Martin 1832-1923

GREGSON, BUTLER, PILGRIM, FALKENBERG

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/27/2012 at 18:02:13

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Friday, November 16, 1923

REV. M. GREGSON PIONEER OF THE COUNTY, DIED
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Passed Away Tuesday Night at the Home of Daughter in Marshalltown
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HE FIRST SETTLED IN UNION TWP IN 1854
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Mr. Gregson Was Founder of Little Mount Church and Will Be Buried There Today
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Rev. Martin Gregson, a pioneer preacher and farmer of Poweshiek county, and organizer of the Little Mount Baptist church, seven miles west of Montezuma, of which he was pastor forty years, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ray Butler, 907 East State street, at 8:30 Tuesday night. Rev. Mr. Gregson died of weakness brought on by extreme age. He was 91.

In 1854, when 22, Mr. Gregson, having gone with his father to Texas, came alone to Union township, Poweshiek county and settled. He bought a timber tract, cleared it, reared a family of ten, organized the Little Mount church in the spring of 1856, became its pastor and continued to preach until 1896. He was the rugged religious type of settler, a leader in the community, noted for his integrity and his Christian character, and it was with reluctance that his congregation finally consented to his leaving them. Mr. Gregson has lived here fifteen years since retiring from work.

Mr. Gregson was born in Owen county, Indiana, July 10, 1832. He was twice married, both wives being dead, but all ten children born of his marriages survive. They, in addition to Mrs. Butler, are Mrs. Will Pilgrim, Detroit, Mich.; D.P. Gregson, sheriff of Poweshiek county, Montezuma; A.B. Gregson, New Sharon; M.M. Gregson, Grinnell; Rev. E.M. Gregson, Eldon; L.L. Gregson, Marshalltown; Mrs. Frank Falkenberg and George T. Gregson, Spokane and C.A. Gregson, Newton. Rev. Mr. Gregson was the last of a family of ten.

The body is to be taken to the Little Mount church and there the funeral will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon.