Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 433-434] ELIJAH W. GREGG, (deceased), one of the early settlers of Cherokee County, was a true type of that excellence and nobility of manhood so prominent in the worthy pioneers of the West. He was born in Mor- gan County, Ohio, December 17, 1831, a son of CALEB and MILLICENT (DOWDNY) GREGG. The father was born in Virginia, and the mother was probably a native of Ohio. In 1851 the family emigrated to Iowa and settled in Linn County, where the father entered a homestead, and a tract of eighty acres of Government land for each of his children. CALEB GREGG passed the remainder of his days in Linn County; he died in 1882, at the advanced age of seventy-eight; his wife is still living and resides in Linn County. He was a minister in the Society of Friends. ELIJAH W. GREGG received his early instruction in the common schools and continued his studies in a Friends' academy in his native State. After coming to Iowa he remained with his father's family for a time, and then began the task of improving the land which had been entered in his name. He devoted himself to this work until 1871, when he removed to Cherokee. At one time he was interested in the livery business, having formed a partnership with N. T. BURROUGHS, Esq. After this firm sold out Mr. GREGG retired to his farm near Cherokee, which he cultivated and improved until 1883, when he sold his land and removed to St. Paul, Nebraska. He was a Mason, belong- ing to the Blue Lodge, chapter and commandery. During his last ill- ness he received every attention from his brother Masons, and after his death, which occurred August 14, 1887, his remains were taken in charge by the Sir Knights of the Grand Island Commandery and escorted to St. Paul, Nebraska, where they were laid away. In 1862 Mr. GREGG enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served in the Western Army for three years; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was the father of seven children, five of whom are living: MARTHA, who died at the age of fourteen years; EVA L., ARCHIE, FRED, HARRY, HATTIE, and a son who died in infancy. EVA L. GREGG, the present superintendent of the Cherokee County schools, was a child when her father came to Cherokee. She attended the pub- lic schools, and afterward entered the college at Ames, Iowa. In 1876 she taught her first school in the Mill Creek school-house, and continued to teach in the district schools until 1881, when a position was offered her in the graded schools of Cherokee without her soli- citation. In this work she made an enviable reputation for herself. She exhibited such a clear understanding of the needs and purposes of the public schools that in the fall of 1887 she was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools. Although she was nominated by the Republicans, she was heartily endorsed by the Demo- cratic party. Under her administration the educational interests of the county have not lagged, and her decision and judgment under most trying conditions have been rendered with that honesty and sin- cerity of purpose which bring satisfaction to all parties. In the Republican county convention of 1889 she was again nominated for the same office, and glowing tributes were paid her by men who are in a position to know and appreciate the value and scope of her work. She was again endorsed by the Democrats in their convention in the fall of 1889. EVA L. GREGG is a woman of the highest integrity of char- acter, and of exceeding honesty and earnestness of purpose. When all the offices of the land are in the hands of those guided by so clear an insight and so quick a conscience, there will be no cries of "spoils," and the country will be in a well-nigh ideal condition. ===========================================================================