Ezra Gregory Bio

Ezra Gregory

Biography of Ezra Gregory taken from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co. 1894. Pages 123-124.

EZRA GREGORY

Ezra Gregory, a retired farmer, who now makes his home in Dubuque, has through well directed
efforts and good business abil[i]ty in former years acquired the competency which now enables
him to live in a comfortable and easy way without engaging in any labor.  He was born in
Vigo County, Ind., on the 23d of September, 1836, and is a son of C. R. Gregory, a native 
of New York, who became one of the early settlers of Vigo County.  On leaving the Empire
State, however, he removed to Ohio, and thence went to Indiana.  His last days were spent
in this city, where his death occurred in February,1850.  His wife bore the maiden name of 
Rachel Barnett and was a native of Kentucky.  She too passed away in Dubuque, her death 
occurring in 1862.

It was during the boyhood of Ezra Gregory that he was brought by his family to the Hawkeye
State.  The parents located upon a farm in Dubuque County, and there his early life was 
passed.  He attended the public schools, but his privileges were somewhat limited owing to 
various circumstances.  The father died when Ezra was only twelve years of age, and as he
was the oldest son in the family of four children much of the farm work devolved upon his
young shoulders, but he faithfully performed the tasks which fell to him, true to every duty.
In 1858 he began farming in his own interest and was successfully engaged in that business for
four years, when, on the 23d of August, 1862, he abandoned the plow for the musket.  Prompted
by patriotic impulses he responded to the country's call for troops and joined the boys in 
blue of Company H, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry, under command of Colonel Merrill, of Clayton 
County.  The troops were sent to Missouri and there did service for six months, on the expira-
tion of which period they participated in the siege of Vicksburg under General Grant.  Mr.
Gregory also took part in the battles of Hartville, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River
Bridge, Spanish Fort, Mobile and the siege and capture of Ft. Blakely.  When the war was over 
and the county no longer needed his services he was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., on the 
15th of July, 1865, and was soon afterwards discharged at Clinton, Iowa.

Mr. Gregory then returned to his home and again resumed farming, to which work he devoted his 
time and energies until 1890, when he retired.  He is now engaged in no business, save that he
superintends his property interests, for as the years have passed and his financial resources
have been increased he has made judicious investments in real estate and is now the owner of 
considerable property.

In the autumn of 1858, Mr. Gregory was joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth J. Sloan, daughter 
of James and Rhoda (Gilbert) Sloan.  In their family were the following children:  William C., 
now of Dubuque; Carmine, Luella, Frank; Nellie, now deceased; James and Florence.  The parents
and their family reside at No. 220 Nevada Street.  they are highly respected people, and their 
many excellencies of character and well spent lives have gained them a large circle of friends.
In his political views, Mr. Gregory is a pronounced Republican and takes an active interest in
the growth and success of his party.

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