DAVID H. GREGORY, Sheffield Township
DAVID GREGORY, the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, was
a native of Virginia. During his residence in that State he married
MISS MARGARET WARWICK, also a native Virginian. Shortly after his
marriage, he moved with his wife to Kentucky, and became identified with
the early settlement of that State. They were members of the colony
that followed the renowned Col. Daniel Boone, and formed the "Boone
Settlement." Some years later, while still residing there, he
purchased 420 acres on the Big Miami River, in Butler County, Ohio, but
was deterred from locating upon his newly purchased farm by the
hostility of the Indians surrounding it. A treat of peace was finally
effected, and he moved his family to that point on a keel-boat, pushed
up river by means of long poles.
During his residence at this point, the noted "Mad Anthony Wayne" was a
frequent guest at his cabin, on his route from Fort Greenville to
Hamilton; and in the labor of felling trees MR. GREGORY often received
valuable assistance form a squad of Gen. Wayne's soldiers. He decided
to make this settlement permanent, and with this view continued steadily
to improve his farm. Here he reared a family of two sons and four
daughters, all of whom arrived at maturity, but of whom only DAVID H.
and MARGARET now survive. Their names were WILLIAM, MARY, MARGARET,
ANNIE, NANCY and DAVID H.
The latter, who is a subject of this sketch, was born in Butler County,
Ohio, on the 30th day of January, 1801. At the age of eighteen months,
he was left an orphan by the death of his father; and as soon as his
strength became sufficient for the task, he gave his time to the support
of his mother by working on the farm. Before he was 21 years old, she
too, was called away by death. Shortly after her decease, DAVID, with
his brother-in-law JESSE WILSON, took a contract for digging a section
of the Miami Canal, performing their labor to the entire satisfaction of
the Company.
At the age of 24 years he married MISS MARIA WILSON, a native of
Virginia. Three years after his marriage, he conceived a desire to move
further west, and accordingly started with his wife on a journey to
Indiana. To this point his cousins and his brother WILLIAM had preceded
him, and through their kind forethought a comfortable cabin was ready to
receive the weary immigrants at the end of their tedious journey. This
cabin was located in the central part of the present town of Dayton,
although the name of Dayton had not then been given to the town. Being
the proprietor of a large tract of land, adjacent to the towns of
Marquis and Fairfield, he divided a large portion of it into the town
lots, and the three towns were united under the name of Dayton. This
name was conferred by MR. GREGORY, in memory of Dayton, Ohio. Here,
after clearing a large tract of land, he entered upon the life of a
farmer, happy in the enjoyment of a quiet little home. Six children
crowned the happiness of his married life, named, respectively, MARY A.,
WILLIAM, ALFRED, NANCY, CYNTHIA A. and MARGARET, of whom all are
deceased, save ALFRED and NANCY. On the 31st day of May, 1872, death
again entered his family, choosing for its victim the faithful wife.
For a period of fifty years, MR. GREGORY has been a resident of
Sheffield Township, having entered upon his residence here in 1828, at a
time when but few families had found their way to this point, and when
it frequently became necessary for those living here to unite in defense
of their poultry or pigs against the ravages of the wolves and foxes.
He has witnessed the various stages of progress through which his
township has passed, and in these improvements he has been an active
participant, always contributing liberally toward the advancement of
enterprises calculated to promote the interests of his township. Until
the election of James Buchanan, he acted and voted with the Democratic
party, but during his administration his political principles became
changed, and he has since supported the Republican party.
The infirmities of age have made themselves apparent in his heretofore
vigorous constitution, and for several years he has lived a life of
quiet repose among his grandchildren. In his religious views he is a
Universalist, having been converted to that faith at the age of 17
years. He is a diligent student of the Scriptures, and has learned the
great lessons of charity, so essential to a Christian life.
Combination Atlas Map of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, pg. 49
Kingman Brothers, 1878