Freestone County, Texas
Biographies 


Source: Reminiscences of reconstruction in Texas; and, Reminiscences of Texas 
  and Texans fifty years ago. By Wood, William D., 1902. Page: 37

                            John Gregg

JUDGE JOHN GREGG was a member of the Freestone county bar.
He was a native of North Alabama; came to Texas in the early
fifties and settled in Fairfield, where he commenced the practice of
law. Gregg was poor in this world's goods, but rich in intellect
and ambition to distinguish himself in his chosen profession. His
conduct was so admirable, his address so pleasing, and his merit
so apparent that in a short time he achieved an unprecedented popularity
with the people of the Thirteenth Judicial District. At
the close of Judge Jewett's first term Gregg was brought out by
his many friends to contest the judgeship of the district against
Jewett, and he was triumphantly elected. He discharged the
duties of the office with distinction to himself and entire satisfaction
to his constituents. While he was judge the Civil War came
on, and he immediately resigned the judgeship and volunteered in
the Confederate army. He became colonel of the Seventh Texas
Regiment, and was soon promoted to a brigadier generalship. He
was captured at Fort Donaldson, but was shortly after exchanged
and was an active participant in the principal battles in Tennessee
and Virginia, and near the close of the war (October, 1864) was
killed at the head of his brigade, defending the lines around Richmond
and Petersburg. He was killed in the very prime of manhood.
His death closed a career that gave promise of great personal
distinction and of the largest benefit to his State and people.
The name of John Gregg is still a household memory among the
people of the Thirteenth Judicial District.