| EZRA GREGORY, a retired farmer, who
now makes his home in Dubuque, has through well directed efforts and
good business ability 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 expiration 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. |
Dubuque
County IAGenWeb