JOHN GREIG

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John Greig and Mrs. John Greig

Prosperity has attended the efforts of John Greig, who in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests manifest sound judgment and keen business discernment. He has lived in Dayton township for a long period and is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting a well improved and valuable farm. In 1864 he arrived in Cedar county, being at that time a young man of about eighteen years. His birth occurred near Toronto, Canada, on the 17th of August, 1846.

His father, James Greig, was a native of Scotland and came to the new world with his parents when a youth of eleven years. He was reared to manhood in Canada and was there married to Jeannette Chisholm, also a native of Scotland. He followed farming in Canada and also engaged in importing and dealing in horses for a number of years. In 1864 he crossed the border into the United States and made a permanent location in Cedar county, Iowa purchasing land in Dayton township. He became the owner of an extensive and valuable tract of six hundred acres and not only raised large crops but also continued an importer and dealer in horses for a number of years. He was a successful business man and farmer and was well known in Jones and adjoining counties. He died in Dixon, December 20, 1907, having previously removed to that town, in which he lived retired for a few years prior to his demise. His wife survived him for several years. Their family numbered three sons and five daughters. Of the brothers Dr. Greig and John Greig are the survivors, while another brother, James, grew to mature years and passed away in 1873. All of the sisters are yet living, namely: Mary, the wife of William Shearer of Clarence; Jean, the wife of David Grace of Scott county, Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of A. D. Claney, a business man of Stanwood; Anna, the wife of W. H. Hart of Sac City, Iowa, and Jeannette.

After coming to this county, when a young man of about eighteen years, John Greig assisted in opening up and carrying on the old home farm, giving his father the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority and started out in life on his own account. He was twenty-one years of age when in Red Oak Grove on the 17th of December, 1865, he wedded Maggie Ferguson, who was born in Cedar county and was a daughter of John Ferguson, a native of New York, who arrived in this county in October, 1836, being one of the first settlers in this portion of the state. He had been married in New York, his first wife being Isabelle Starack, a native of Scotland.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Greig established their home on a farm in Dayton township, beginning with one hundred and sixty acres of land. In addition to this he also rented and cultivated other land and subsequently made other purchases until he became the owner of a large and valuable tract of three hundred and twenty acres. The place is fenced with woven wire which protects his crops from the stock. He raises and feeds considerable stock and also breeds and deals in draft horses. In 1899 he removed to Clarence and purchased a residence near the schoolhouse. Later he sold that property and bought where he now resides in the vicinity of the business portion of the town.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greig have been born five children, but on the 26th of November, 1909, they suffered deep grief in the loss of their elder son, James F. Greig, who met death from an accident on that date when thirty-four years of age. Another son, John W., is now carrying on the home farm. Jeannette Isabelle is the wife of E. B. Hoyman, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Margaret J. is the wife of George A. Sylvester, a farmer of Dayton township. Mabel completes the family.

The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Clarence, in which Mr. Greig is serving as an elder, while he and all his family take an active interest in the church and Sunday-school work. He has voted with the republican party since casting his first presidential ballot for General Grant in 1872, never failing to support each presidential candidate from that time to the present. While on the farm he served as road supervisor, was also officially identified with the schools for anumber of years and was township trustee for nine years. He was a member of the town council for four years and for one term has served as mayor of the city, in which connection he faithfully performed the duties of the office so that progress and improvement were conserved and necessary reform work was done. He has been a delegate to numerous city, county and state conventions and has served on both the petit and grand juries. Judged by the consensus of public opinion Mr. Greig deserves to be classed with the prominent and representative citizens of Clarence and of Cedar county, where his genuine personal worth has gained him the high regard and lasting friendship of those with whom he has come in contact.