James Gregg
James Gregg
Since 1893 James Gregg has conducted a profitable business in
building material in Postville and by his energy, close
application and unremitting industry has gained for himself a
high place in business circles of the city. He was born at
Monona, Clayton county, Iowa, August 23, 1859, and is a son of
John and Janet (Ferguson) Greg both of whom were born near
Strathroy, Canada, the father’s birth occurring December 28,
1817. The parents were married in Canada and in 1846 came to
Iowa, locating on a farm at Monona, among the very earliest
settlers in that section. The father continued to improve and
develop his homestead until his death, which occurred in 1882, he
having survived his wife since 1864. They were parents of six
children, of whom the subject of this review is the youngest.
In the acquirement of an education James Gregg attended public
school at Walnut Grove and at Monona and after laying aside his
books remained upon the farm until he was twenty years of age. At
that time he went to work on a railroad but after a few months
hired out as a farm laborer, working on neighboring properties
for about eight years. When he was twenty-eight he formed a
partnership with his brother and for four years thereafter
engaged in the lumber business at Monona, at the end of that time
selling out his interests to his brother. He continued, however,
to reside in the city until 1893, when he came to Postville,
buying out the business belonging to J. H. Sanders, which he has
since continued to conduct. He deals in all kinds of building
material, cement, plaster and lime, and as a result of twenty
years of honorable business dealing and unquestioned integrity
now controls and important and profitable trade. He is a
stockholder in the Citizens State Bank and in the Postville brick
yard and his business interests, always carefully and capably
managed, have brought him a gratifying measure of success.
On October 3, 1883, Mr. Gregg married Miss Lydia Siglin, who was
born near Scraton, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1862, a daughter of
Daniel and Elmira (Englert) Siglin, both natives of the Keystone
state. They came to Monona in 1867 and there the father engaged
in farming, continuing to reside upon his property until his
death, which occurred August 21, 1902. He was survived by his
wife until March, 1904. In their family were six children:
Frederick, deceased; John, who is a farmer near Alta, Iowa;
Nelson, a mechanic and contractor at Aurelia; Lydia, wife of the
subject of this review; Phineas Page, a druggist in Rexburg,
Idaho; and Allan, a farmer near that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are
the parents of two children. John Loren, who was born August 17,
1884, is now in the dray and transfer business in Postville. He
married Miss Bertha Miller, a native of Post township, and they
have one son, Keith Miller, born October 18, 1912. Guy Page, who
was born January 13, 1888, is pitcher in the Three I Baseball
League and when not thus engaged assists his father.
Mr. Gregg gives his political allegiance to the republican party
and has been a member of the school board and is now serving ably
and conscientiously on the city council. He is connected with the
Masonic lodge in Postville and has taken the thirty-second degree
in Masonry at Cedar Rapids. He is connected also with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes a great interest in
the welfare and growth of the community and is recognized as a
loyal, public spirited and progressive citizen. In business life
he is well known for his alert and enterprising spirit, and his
salient characteristics are such as always in a gratifying
success.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index