Transcribed by Sue Nitz in Tucson

C.C. GREGORY, CIVIL WAR VETERAN , DIES THURSDAY

Funeral Services for Estemeed Resident Held on Sunday Afternoon

Charle C. Gregory, lake Park's only remaining Civil War veteran quietly passed away at his home south of town at 4o'clock last Thursay afternoon.

Although Mr. Gregory had been steadily failing in health the last eight weeks, his deth cast a pail of sorrow over the community as his numberless friends voiced the sad news one to another. Life long resident here, his influence in community affairs, his upright character and indomitable courage had created among his fellow citizens the highest respect and and esteem.

Coming to this community in 1886, Mr. Gregory was a pioneer in every sense of the report. With his good wife who survives, he came here when neighbors were miles apart, when, raw prairie lands were on every hand, when roads as we know them had not been laid out or graded; travel was by team and wagon; a team, plow, wagon and a few small implements were the only equipment found on farms. By hard work, thrift , cooperation with other citizens , he was privileged to accumulate a competence and to see this community emerge from wild grass and swamps to one of the foremost agricultural sections of thenation; from pioneer farming equipment consisting mostly of brawn to this of today when mechanical power and complicated machinery do most of the work; from team and wagon transportation to fast automobiles and airplanes and graveled and paved roads. And in this most interesting period of fast changing modes of living , he did his full share to bringing to us of this day the comforts and conveniences unknown to him in his younger life. Indeed the efforts and untiring labors of the pioneer such as Mr. Gregory can never be comprehended and appreciated to their full extent.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the home and at the Presbyterian church at 2;30 in charge of Rev. J. A. Kettle of the local Methodist church who read the following obituary:

Charles GREGORY was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin August 14, 1847 and moved to the great beyond at his home south of Lake Park February 14, 1935 being at the time of his death 87 years and 6 months of age. He was the sixth child in a family of nine children and his father and mother were John F. and Lucy Gregory.

When Mr. Gregory was two his parents moved to Cayuga county, New York when he was sixteen years old he enlisted to Co. M 16th regiment of New York, where he faithfully served his country until the close of the Civil War, and received his honorable discharge on the twenty first day of August 1865.

In 1872 the call of the West brought him to Ackley, Hardin county, Iowa and it was here he met Miss Hattie M. Howell who becam his wife Oct. 1, 1874, This worthy couple journeyed through life side by side for over sixty years. And these 60 years were happy years indeed for it was a union of hearts and hands where both faithfully did their part to make a happy home for each other and for the eight children who came to bless this home; Walter, the eldest of Hood River, Oregon has been with his parents this winter and faithfully helped care for his father during the eight weeks of his illness; Gertie , now Mrs. R. J. McIsaac of Parkdale, Oregon; Clinton of Hot Springs, S.D.; Charley, the youngest of the family of Lyle, Washington and Mrs. Anna Stapleton -Frank, Oregon, and Stanley living here at Lake Park and also thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren plus a host of friends and neighbors.

In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Gregory moved to Hardy and two years later moved to Lake Park to the farm where the past 40 years have been spent.

As a pioneer in the community , he knew what harships and hard work were, but could always see the sunny side of life. He took a deep interest in all community affairs, and held numerous towhsip offices and was county supervior from this district for several years. He was also president of the Farmers Exchange at Lake Park for many years, and at the time of his death was vice-resident of the First National Bank of Lake Park.

In early manhood he gave his heart to Christ and united with the Baptist Church in New York home. Later in Hardin county, Iowa he joined the Christian church, as there was no Baptist church in that community. Throught out his life he was faithful to his Master, and practiced the teachings of Christ daily in his home life. The Golden Rule had a real meaning to him an his life as he led it , will be a gold chain drawing his loved ones to meet him later in the Heavenly home.

He was the last remaining Civil War veteran of the western Dickinson County and almost the last one for the entire county.

Throughout his life he was true to the old falg, and in the memory of his comrades and this last Decoration day was the first service he had ever missed since the day was established. Nevertheless he and his good wife helped to make the bouquets for the soldier's graves that day as usual something they had done every Decoration Day since there was a soldier's grave to decorate in our cemetery on the hillside. As long as he was able he went to the cemetery and placed these bouquets on his comrades' graves with his own hands.

He was a good soldier in peace as well as in war, always encouraging those around him to keep the law, to be good citizens in the fullest sense of the word, to be helpful in time of need and kind to all. to know him was to love him. The best portion of a good man's life are the countless little unremembered acts of kindness and of love." and while we will note the vacant chair, and miss his kindly smile we will still have beautiful memories that nothing can take from us as these memories of his gentle words and council will continue to be our guide, Good deeds never die so his influence will still live on.

"Dear ones, greive not , he has only gone before. He's free from sorrow , care and pain, Safe on the other side. He can't return but God is good , and some glad day, we pray , we'll meet together once again no more good byes to say." R.M.G.

A quartet composed of Kenneth Boyer, Byron Blair, Irvin Schafer and Forrest Flint sung three selections accompanied by Mrs. H.G. Shafer at the piano. Members of the local Legion Post and of the Spirit Lake , Milford and Terril Posts attended in a body and had charge at the cemetery in the final rites for their comrade.

Relatives and friends from out of town attending the funeral weree Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Strayhorn of Hurley, Clarence Hatch of Ackley, Vern Gregory and son Gregg of Milford, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Strathman and daughter Helen and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Byers and her mother , Mrs. Alice Smith of Marshall, Minn., Mrs. N.D. Metz, Mr and Mrs. Ray Metz and son of Worthington, Minn, Ray and Dallas Rensberger of Sioux Falls, S.D. , Dr. and Mrs. F. Parker of hartley, Leon and Vera Mills of Perry, Mrs. Ida McFarland and Mr. and Mrs. Lee McFarland of Harris, Carl Arnold of Swea city, C.W. Lynn of Sutherland and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Clark of Cleghorn.

Sources:
~Spirit Lake Beacon of Spirit Lake , Iowa ( newspapers on Ancestry.com)
~Lake Park News, Lake Park, Iowa, Feb. 17, 1935 probably SPIRIT LAKE BEACON (found in FindaGrave web site for Silver Lake cem.-Dickinson Co., Iowa)

*  *  *

Spirit Lake Beacon, Feb. 21, 1935
Sprit Lake, Iowa
WESTERN DICKINSON'S ONLY SURVIVING CIVIL WAR VETERAN PASSED AWAY AT HIS EXCELSIOR TWP. HOME FRIDAY NIGHT A RESIDENT OF HIS SAME EXCELSIOR FARM HOME SINCE 1886

Western Dickinson county mourns the passing of its only surviving Civil war veteran, C. C. Gregory who passed away at his home during Friday night. Mr. Gregory has been in failing health for several months, and of late has been growing weaker.

Mr. Gregory purchased his Excelsior township home in the 70's while employed on the rail road and since 1886 when he retired from his railroad work he has made it his home.

Charles C. Gregory was born in Wallworth County, Wisconsin August 14, 1847, and passed to the Great Beyond from his home south of lake Park, Iowa February 14, 1935, at the age of 87 years and 6 months.

He was the sixth child of John F. and Lucy Gregory in a family of nine. At the age of two years Mr. Gregory went with his parents to live in Cayuga County, New York.

Mr. Gregory was one of the few Civil war veterans still active. He was a private in Company M, 16th Regiment , New York heavy artillary, and was at Fortress Monroe most of his 22 months of service. He was discharged at New Bern, North Carolina, too far away to take part in the grand review in Washington. After the war he went back to New York and came to Iowa in 1872 settling near Ackley. He was a member of the Spirit Lake post of the Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1872 the call of the West brought him to Ackley, Hardin county, Iowa, where he met Miss Hattie M. Howell of Ohio, who came to Iowa as a child. This friendship culminated in their marriage Oct. 1, 1874. They have journeyed through life, side by side for over 60 years and these years have been happy indeed for it was union of hearts and hands, where both faithfully did their part to make a happy home for each other and their eight children who came to bless their home namely: Walter of Hood River, Ore, who has been with his parents this winter and faithfully helped care for his father during the eight weeks of his illness; Gertie, now Mrs. R. J. McIsaac, of Parkdale, ore; Clinton of Hot Springs, S. D. ; Charles of Lyle , Washington; Anna, Mrs. Fred Stapleton ; Frank, Ora and Stanley living here at Lake Park. Also 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of friends and neighbors.

In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Gregory moved to Hardy, Iowa and two years late moved to the farm south of lake Park, where they have continued to reside for 49 years. They could always see the sunny side of life.

He took a deep interest in all community affairs and held numerous township offices. He was county supervisor from this district for several years and was president of the Farmer's Exchange at Lake Park for many years. At the time of his death he was vice president of the First National Bank of Lake Park.

In early manhood he gave his heart to Christ and united with the Baptist church in his New York home. Later in Hardin county , Iowa , he joined the Christian church. Throughout his life he was faithful to his Master and practiced the teachings of Christ daily in his home life. The Golden Rule had a real meaning to him , and his life as he led it, will be a golden chain, drawing his loved ones to meet him later in the Heavenly home,

Throughout his life he was true to the old flag and the memory of his comrades and last Memorial day was the fist service he had missed since the day was established. But on that day, he and his good wife helped to make the bouquets for the soldiers' graves as they had done every Decoration Day since there was a soldier's grave to decorate in our cemetery. As long as he was able, he went to the cemetery and placed these bouquets on his comrades graves with his own hands.

He was a good soldier in peace as well as in war, always encouraging those around him , to be good citizens in the fullest sense of the word, to be helpful in time of need and kind to all. To know him was to love him. "The best portions of a good man's life are the countless little un remembered acts of kindness and love." while we will note the vacant chair and miss his kindly smile, we will still have beautiful memories that nothing can take from us and these memories of his gentle words and council will continue to be our guide.

Good deeds never die, so his influence will still live on,
Dear ones, grieve not, he is not dead, He 's only gone before.
He's free from sorrow, care and pain, safe on the other shore.
He can't return but God is good, and some glad day we pray
We'll meet together, once again, no more goodbyes to say.--R.M. C.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, February 17, at the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. Kettle, who used the text:

"Thou will come to thy grave in full age as a shock of corn cut down in his season.: found in Job 5:26
The American Legion attended in a body and took charge of the service at the grave. Burial was made in Silver Lake cemetery. A male quartette consisting of Kenneth Boyer, Byron Blair, Ervin Schafer and forrest Fling sang "Lead Kindly Light," " Asleep in Jesus, " and "Going Down the Valley, " with Mrs. Handley Shafer as accompanist. Pall bearers were Legionaires: Claude and Bert Arena, Roy Bowden, Carl Berger, Ray Goodell, and Oren Ray.

Those attending the funeral from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. Ray Metz, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Metz and children of Worthington, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Bevers, Milford; Mr and Mrs. Franklin Parker, Hartley, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Strayhorn , Hurley, Iowa; Clarence Hatch, Ackley, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Theo Strathman and Helen and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Byers of Marshall, Minn., Leon and Verne Mills of Perry; Roy and Dallas Rensberger of Sioux Falls; Verne Gregory and son of Milford; Mr. and Mrs. Lee McFarland of Harris; Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Clark of Cleghorn; C. W. Lynn of Sutherland; Carl Arnold, of Swea City.