Samuel P. Gale, proprietor of
the McGregor House, is a native of Monroe, Mich., born
Jan. 4, 1833. His father, William W. Gale, was born in
New York, and was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He was
married in Rochester, N.Y., to Lydia A. Thompson, and
soon after settled on a farm in Monroe County, Mich.,
being one of the first white men in that region. His farm
is now a part of the town of Monroe. Samuel P. attended
school and assisted on the farm until fourteen years of
age, when he went to live with his brother-in-law, G. R.
Mandaville, and under his instruction learned the
carpenter, joiner and millwright trades. When twenty
years old he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and there obtained
a position as fireman of the C., M. & St. P. R. R.,
and three years later was given charge of the old
"Milwaukee" engine, which he ran one year. On
June 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 24th Wisconsin
Infantry Volunteers, and served three years, being
promoted from private to Sergeant of his company. At the
close of the war he returned to Milwaukee and remained
there about two years, when he came to North McGregor,
Ia., where he worked as a machinist in the C., M. &
St. P. car shops eight or nine years, then opened the
McGregor House, which he has successfully conducted
since. He was married on Feb. 12, 1867, to Mary Sovay,
who was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., and was a daughter of
Duncan and Rosetta Sovay. In politics Mr. Gale is rather
independent on voting for local officers, but for
President is decidedly Republican. He is one of
McGregor's most prominent and respected citizens. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 982-983 |