Cornelius W. Gregory Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 356-359

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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HON. CORNELIUS W. GREGORY. A community is enriched by the lives of 
those who have labored for its advancement in material, moral and 
educational acquirements, and consequently owes a debt of gratitude to 
every person whose influence in any degree has tended toward a higher 
attainment in any field of progress. None deserves a greater measure of 
esteem for good work done, high aims and progressive ideas, than the 
gentleman whose name stands at the head of this brief biography. 
Essentially a farmer, he has brought to his calling a fund of 
knowledge, broadness of mind, and thoroughness of method that have -won 
him distinction in his community and county, and his zeal for the 
general good have forced him into service as a public man. His home is 
on section 33, LaPrairie township, where his surroundings bear evidence 
of his thrift, careful husbandry, and attention to details, that have 
marked his entire career in all situations. A portrait of Mr. Gregory 
is presented on another page. 

Cornelius W. Gregory was born in Vermont March 13, 1839, the eldest of 
three children born to Leander D. and Eliza (Wallace) Gregory. At the 
age of sixteen years our subject went to Wisconsin, and entered Beloit 
College, of which noted institution his father was treasurer. 
Unfortunately his health gave way in the midst of the work of the 
Sophomore year, and he was compelled to lay aside his studies. He went 
to Chicago and found a position in a book store, where he hoped to 
regain his health and be able to return to his college work. His health 
not improving, however, he returned to Wisconsin, and until 1883 he was 
engaged in farming in that state. In that year he went to Dakota and 
purchased seven quarter-sections of land in Spink county, seven hundred 
acres of which has since been put under cultivation. Three of these 
quarter-sections he has given to his sons, and he still owns four of 
the seven quarters included in the original purchase. His magnificent 
estate is well watered, and adapted to general farming, and is under an 
excellent state of cultivation, and enhanced with valuable 
improvements, including a comfortable and commodious residence. 

Mr. Gregory was married in 1862 to Miss Mary M. Smith, a lady of rare 
taste and accomplishments. To them four children have been born, named 
as follows: Wallace, Charles H., Carl W. and R. A. In political 
sentiment Mr. Gregory is a Republican, and although he is the only 
member of that party living in his neighborhood, he has the respect and 
esteem of every one for his many acts of a beneficial character of 
which all in the community have been partakers, without regard to 
political affiliations. His Republicanism is of the original stamp, 
having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He favors 
prohibition of the liquor traffic, and is not an advocate of the 
extension of the right of suffrage to the female sex. He has been 
called upon to serve in many public capacities, among which are those 
of county commissioner of the first district, and as senator to 
represent his district in the legislative session of 1899. During that 
session he introduced the Redfield Asylum bill in the senate and worked 
actively for its success. He is a great reader and keeps well abreast 
of the times in all matters of a public character, as well as in 
humbler fields of local interest. His sympathies are readily enlisted 
in every worthy enterprise of educational advancement and moral growth, 
and he is an esteemed member of the Congregational church. His 
prosperity, integrity, force of character, hospitality and good 
fellowship mark him as a public man of more than ordinary influence.