West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
ASA GREGG

Asa Gregg, one of ten children of Samuel and Ann (Sinclair) Gregg was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Nov. 25th, 1806. His father, of Irish descent, whose ancestors came to America with the Penn Colony, was born in Pennsylvania. Asa's mother was a native of Virginia.

During the Revolutionary War, Samuel Gregg was drafted into service, and taken to the camp of General Washington. Being a member of the Society of Friends and conscientiously opposed to warfare he was excused by the General and told to go home and provide food for those who did fight. This he willingly did.

Asa remained with his father until the age of twenty when he went to Frederichtown, where he engaged with a brother in the manufacture of wagons and carriages until 1837, when desiring to better his condition he came to Iowa and bought a claim of 240 acres in Section 10, Twp. 78, which he entered and improved.

In 1839 he sold the 240 acres and bought 120 acres in Section 2, Twp. 78, which he improved and made his home until 1866 when he moved to West Liberty and resided until his death, June 13th, 1896.

In 1830 Asa Gregg was married to Catherine Drake, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of William and Jane (Carey) Drake, who were early settlers of Ohio. Ten children blessed their union: Edwin R., Elbridge L., Louisa, Adelia, William, Charlotte, Aurelia, Charles; two died in infancy.

Louisa married Silas A. Jackson, a member of the 11th Iowa Infantry who was killed in battle at Atlanta, Ga., and for whom the Silas Jackson Post No. 225 G. A. R. was named.

This pioneer became a prominent citizen and always took an active part in politics. For twenty years he was Justice of the Peace, served as postmaster of West Liberty for fifteen years and for many years was County School Fund Commissioner.

He was an easy and fluent writer, well informed in the early history of Wapsinonoc Township and West Liberty. In 1878 he wrote and published a book entitled "Personal Recollections of the Early Settlement of Wapsinonoc Township and the Murder of Atwood by the Indians," which we herewith reprint for the benefit of this and succeeding generations and as a courtesy to his descendants.

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