Pg 263

         DAVID GREGORY, a prominent pioneer of Louisa County, Iowa, of 1840, now residing on section 20, Morning Sun Township, was born in Morgan County, Ind., March 12, 1820, and is a son of William and Lucy (Jones) Gregory. His father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and served under Gen. Tipton. His mother was a native of Kentucky, but they were married in Harrison County, Ind., and in 1820 removed to Morgan County, where they were numbered among its earliest settlers. Mr. Gregory there purchased land, and developed a farm in the midst of the wilderness, on which he resided until 1840, when he removed to Louisa County, Iowa, locating upon a place where his son Dennis now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Gregory were born twelve children, four of whom are living: Dennis; David, the subject of this sketch; Eliza, wife of William Edwards, of Indiana, and Milton whose home is also in the Hoosier State. In 1858 the death of Mr. Gregory occurred in this county, he having survived his wife, who died in 1832, many years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were earnest Christian people. Mr. Gregory was a pioneer of Kentucky, Indiana and Iowa, and lived in the Territory of Wisconsin, the Territory of Iowa, and the State of Iowa, all the while residing in one house.

When eighteen years of age our subject came to Iowa in search of a location, and after traveling all over this State concluded to make Louisa County his future home. He had been educated in the schools of a wild and almost unsettled country, though by observation and experience in later years he gained much knowledge which was of great practical benefit to him. In 1839, in Morgan County, Ind., he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Samantha Askew, and soon afterward took up his permanent residence in this county, which he has never left, except at one time when he made a short trip to California. By their union three children were born, but all are now deceased. Mrs. Gregory died in 1854, and he was again married, Miss Mary E. Humphreys becoming his wife. She was born in Peoria County, Ill., and is the eldest daughter of James G. and Nancy (Bovans) Humphreys, the former a native of of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. They have been the parents of four children, three now living: Jennie, wife of George L. Swan, a resident farmer of Louisa County; Grant and James, who are also numbered among its residents.

Mr. Gregory is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. William H. Harrison, and in the fall of 1888 he voted for Benjamin Harrison, the honored grandson of that illustrious man. His capital on coming to this county consisted of only a good constitution and a determination to make his life a success, so with a brave heart and ready hand he went to work, and, as time has passed, has accumulated a large property. In the earlier days times were hard, and money could scarcely be obtained, Mr. Gregory . . .

Pg 264

. . . having often hauled wood to Wapello, for which he received but thirty cents per load, and it took two days’ labor to get it to town. Possessing good business ability, and making the most of every opportunity, Mr. Gregory has succeeded far better than he first expected, and now owns 410 acres of fine land, which is well cultivated and improved. He is genial, kindly, and his home is the abode of hospitality. The old settlers can relate many instances of his kind acts during pioneer days, and that same desire to assist a fellow creature is still one of his chief characteristics. Mrs. Gregory is a member of the Christian Church.