My Genealogy Hound

ISAAC G. GREGORY is one of the younger business men of the village of Waterloo, and exerts much influence in its commercial and social development. He is of English origin, but has thoroughly harmonized himself with the conditions of modern American life, so that it would be hard for a stranger to detect anything indicating that he was not “to the manner born.” His parents, Henry and Jane (Laney) Gregory, were married in Banwell, Somersetshire, England, where our subject was born in July, 1850. Their married life, however, was brief, as the father died while Isaac was less than three years old. The mother, hearing of the possibilities of the New World, gathered her little family together, and in the winter of 1854 sailed for New York City. Landing on these unfamiliar shores on the 1st of the following January, she came direct to Waterloo, where she permanently located. She has now reached the venerable age of eighty-two years, yet does not find them full of weariness and trouble. Her two daughters, Mary and Hester, are close at hand, while her eldest son, Henry Gregory, is established upon a large farm in Pettis County, Mo., where he is extensively engaged in general farming and fruit-raising.

The boy Isaac received his education in the public schools of Waterloo, and finished his school days at that institution which has turned out so many strong and successful business men into the world during the last half-century — the Waterloo Union School. In 1866 he passed through his first experiences in the great mercantile world in his mother’s grocery store. When he had mastered the details of the business, he exhibited a decided genius for its successful administration, and was put in full charge of the business, his mother retiring to enjoy a well earned rest. Under his control it has grown to large proportions, and he now carries a full line of dry goods, groceries, provisions and canned goods. He owns the building in which this business is carried on, and has saved enough to warrant the erection of several dwelling-houses in different quarters of the village, which rent for a good figure. Altogether, he may be said to be one of the solid men of the community, and as such is generally recognized.

In 1875 Miss Sarah A., youngest daughter of the late John Bisdee, of Waterloo, became our subject’s wife, and lived with him nineteen years, dying March 14, 1894, leaving four children, Keith Sumner, Paul, Mildred Alice and Henry Raymond. Her name is a tender memory with husband, children and friends.

Mr. Gregory has worked and voted with the Republican party, and by it has been honored, having served two terms as Village Trustee, and in party affairs has served on important committees. He is a member of and has an active interest in the Knights of Pythias. Religiously he follows the bent of early associations and more mature convictions, and is a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.