W. H. GREGG. Among the early settlers of Washington county, whose deeds are an undying monument to their memory, were the ancestors of the well-known family of which this gentleman is a representative. In 1791 three brothers Henry, William and John Gregg left Ireland, the country of their birth, and crossed the ocean to America. After a voyage of sixteen weeks they all came to Washington county, Penn., and settled in East Pike Run township, where Henry secured a tract of 349 acres called the "Burning Mine," now owned by a Mr. Duvall. Henry Gregg served as justice of the peace in 1796. He was married to Jane Dowler, and of their children, whose names are given, are John, Henry, Thomas, Edward, Seth and William. The parents died in 1834, in West Pike Run township. John Gregg, son of Henry, was born and reared on the home place in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He received a thorough education, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed several years. When a young man he made choice of a helpmeet in the person of Edith, daughter of Caleb Woodward, who was a native of Scotland, and who, soon after his marriage, came to America, first locating in Chester county, Penn., afterward moving to Brownsville, Fayette Co., where he conducted a mill for many years. He was a strong advocate of the principles embodied in the Whig platform, and in religion was a member of the Society of Friends. His children were as follows: Milton, Alfred, Caleb, Edith (Mrs. Gregg), Charlotte and Sidney. Mr. and Mrs. John Gregg settled in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., where he carried on a farm also conducting a blacksmith shop for several years and in 1859 moved to California, Penn. In political opinion he was a stanch supporter of the Whig and Abolition parties, and in religion was an active member of the Taylor M. E. Church. His children were Thomas, Caleb and W. H. W. H. Gregg was born April 6, 1847, in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and remained with his parents until twenty years of age. He then worked about four years in the lumber business for Powell & Co., of California, Penn., afterward entering the employ of Morgan & Dixon, with whom he remained five years. In 1881 he opened his present business in Coal Centre, and has by good management and honorable dealing secured a large and constantly increasing custom. On October 20, 1869, he was united in marriage with Jennie M., daughter of Robert and Augusta Forsythe, of Fayette county, Penn., and one son has been born to this union, Edgar F., a graduate of a business college, and now a bookkeeper in Pittsburgh. Mr. Gregg is deeply interested in the success of the Republican party, and has held various borough offices, serving repeatedly as a member of the school board. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Southwestern State Normal School, and has been a director of the First National Bank of California, Penn., since its organization. He is a supporter of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 595 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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