J. H. Gregg, p. 1173
J. H. GREGG is descended from a family who were among the first
settlers of East PikeRun township. Many years ago three brothers,
Henry, William and John Gregg, emigrated from the Emerald Isle
and made a permanent settlement in East Pike Run township,
Washington Co., Penn. Henry took a patent for 349 acres of
land known as the "Burning Mine," which is now owned by a Mr.
Duvall. John Gregg was twice married; William, the second brother,
was the grandfather of J. H. Gregg. William Gregg was married
to Ruth Jackman, a native of Ireland, and they settled on the
farm in East Pike Run township, where eight children were born
as follows: Robert (married to Ann Robison), Andrew, Henry
(married to Jane Dowler), John (married to Nancy Gregg), Mary
Ann, Sarah, Jemima and Margaret (Mrs. Crow).
Andrew Gregg was born in March, 1808, in East Pike Run township,
Washington county, and passed his youth on the homestead. He was
married to Mary Ann Huggins, who was born in 1816, in what is
now Allen township, Washington county, and of the children
born to this union six are yet living, namely: Lucy Ann, wife of
V. C. Jones, of Fallowfield township; Ruth Ann, married to
William Sphar, of Allen township; A. J.,living in East Pike
Run township; R. W.; Sarah Jane, wife of Thomas F. Fry, of Chase
county, Kans., and J. H. The father was actively identified
with the interests of the Republican party. He died in 1872, on
the old farm where his widow is yet living.
J. H. Gregg was born March 16, 1853, in East Pike Run township,
and is the youngest in his father's family. His youth and earlier
manhood were passed in the home neighborhood where he attended
school. In 1882 he came to the farm in Allen township, upon which
he has erected a good house and barn. On February 8, 1888,
he was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of Stephen
and Hannah (Shaw) Ward, and a native of Allen township. Her parents
are early settlers of Washington county, and are now living
at Wood's Run. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg are the parents of three
children, viz.:
Frank, Alpharetta and Joseph Riley. The home place contains
eighty acres of well cultivated land, and he is a prosperous
farmer. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.
Mrs. Gregg is a member of the M. E. Church at Lueyville.
A. J. Gregg, p. 1262
A. J. 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, represented here by the
gentleman whose name here appears.
In the year 1790 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,"
and now owned by 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. The second brother of the three who emigrated from
Ireland was William Gregg, and he was married in the old country
to a lady who bore him the following children: Henry, John,
William, Andrew, Robert, Christina (wife of John Crow) and a
Mrs. Jackman.
Robert Gregg, son of William, was born in Ireland, and was about
twelve years of age when the parents and uncles came to America
in 1790. He attended the subscription schools of Washington
county, Penn., and in early manhood was married to Ann, daughter
of John Robison, a native of Ireland, where he was married.
Coming to America in an early day, he opened the first tavern
on the old Washington road in Pennsylvania. His children were
Joseph, John, William, Susan, Sarah and Ann (Mrs.Gregg).
Robert and Ann Gregg resided on the home place until his health
failed, when they moved to Greenfield (now Coal Centre), where
he died. He was a pilot on the Monongahela, Ohio and Mississippi
rivers. In politics he was actively identified with the Democratic
party, and served for years as supervisor, as well as in other
township offices. The children of this family were born as follows:
John R., William, Mary, Jane (wife of Daniel Williams, who was a son of
Amos Ailes, whose father was Stephen Ailes, a native of Chester
county, Penn. Amos Ailes was born in 1751, and grew to manhood
in his native county. In early life Amos Ailes was married
to Ann, daughter of Joseph Brown, a farmer of Chester county,
Penn., and soon after their marriage they came to Washington
county, locating on a tract of land in East Pike Run township,
which had then been in the possession of Joseph Brown for about
two years. At the time Amos Ailes settled upon it, the place
was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by wild animals
and wandering Indians. Two young girls named Scott were killed
by the Redskins about this time, and Mrs. Ailes shot a deer in
the door-yard soon after their arrival. In this wild forest
home children were born to these pioneers, and reared, as follows:
Joseph, Stephen, Aaron, Mary (wife of Eli Gause), James, Sarah
(wife of John Waites), Isaac and Amos. Mr. Ailes was a Whig
in politics, and in religion a member of the Society of Friends.
He died in February, 1835, and was buried by the side of his wife
in the Westland cemetery, in East Bethlehem township, Washington
county. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg resided on the home place for three
years after their marriage, then purchased and moved upon an
adjoining farm. They finally settled on the Ailes homestead,
and in 1889 erected their present residence. In addition to
general farming, Mr. Gregg has conducted a gristmill for the past
few years. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and has held
various local offices. He is a member and ardent supporter
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
William S. Gregg, p. 1267
WILLIAM S. GREGG. Among the early settlers of Washington county,
Penn., whose deeds are an undying monument to their memory,
were the ancestors of the well-known family, of which the subject
of this memoir is a worthy representative.
In 1790 three brothers Henry, William and John Gregg left Ireland,
the country of their birth, for the shores of Columbia. After a
voyage of sixteen weeks, they all came to Washington county,
Penn., and settled in East Pike Run township. Of these brothers
William was the great- grandfather of our subject, and his son
Henry secured a tract of 349 acres called "the Burning Mine,"
in East Pike Run township, now owned by a Mr. Duvall. This
Henry Gregg served as a justice of the peace in 1796. He was
married to Jane Dowler, and they had children as follows: John,
Henry, Thomas and Edward. The parents of this family died in 1834,
in West Pike Run township. John Gregg, the youngest of the three
who came to America in 1790, was twice married, his second
choice having been Miss Nancy Gregg, a native of Ireland, to whom
he was married in 1794. Their children were: James, born August 8,
1795; Eleanor, born May 22, 1797; Andrew, born April 8, 1799;
Mary, born September 8, 1801; Henry, born April 28, 1804; Sarah,
born September 8, 1806; Ann, born November 9, 1808; John, born
January 23, 1811; Margaret, born February 8, 1813; and Elizabeth
born February 11, 1815. The father died July 20, 1841, followed
by the mother April 14, 1844. She was a member of the M. E. Church.
The three brothers who first settled in America were all members of
the M. E. Church, and in politics affiliated with the Whig party.
William Gregg, another son of the pioneer William, married
Ruth, who bore him the following children: Henry, John, William,
Andrew, Robert, Christina (wife of John Crow), and another
daughter (who became the wife of a Mr. Jackman). Robert Gregg,
son of William and Ruth Gregg was born in 1808 in East Pike Run
township, Washington Co., Penn. He lived on the home farm during
early life, and February 8, 1821, was married to Mary West, who
was born in 1812, in this county. They were the parents of six
children, namely: William S., West J., Robert J. (living in Coal
Centre, this county), Matilda, Francis and Ruth A. The father
was a practical, energetic farmer. In politics he affiliated
with the Democratic party, and held various township offices.
He died in 1874, and in 1890 the wife and mother was laid beside
him. They were members of the Presbyterian Church at Coal Centre.
William S. Gregg was born July 4, 1847, in East Pike Run township,
Washington Co., Penn., where his boyhood was passed. In 1872 he
married Sarah J. Lutes, who was born in 1852, in Washington
county, a daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Lutes, representative
of an old family. Four daughters were born to this union, namely:
Nora, Estella J., Laura (deceased) and Mary A. (deceased).
The mother, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church at Coal
Centre, died in 1886, and in 1891 Mr. Gregg married Mrs. Mary E.
(Wright) Newman, daughter of Isaac Wright. Her father was born in
1813, in Washington county, Penn., and was married to Mary J. Long,
a native of this county, born in 1818. The following children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright: Eliza (deceased); William H. a
resident of Fayette county, Penn.; Luke, living in East Pike
Run township; Samuel; Lizzie, wife of Samuel Worrell, a farmer
of East Bethlehem township; Mary E., wife of William S. Gregg;
Molissa; Matilda; Mary C.; Joseph; Thomas J. and John. Of this
family the six last mentioned are deceased. The father passed
his life on the home farm, where he died in 1885, having been
preceded by the mother in 1859. In politics he is a Republican.
In 1878 Mary E. Wright was married to John Newman, a native of
Washington county, Penn., and they settled in Beallsville, same
county, where he carried on a general merchandise business, and died
in 1885. Mrs. Newman was afterward married to William S. Gregg,
and to the latter union one son, Harry, was born July 21, 1892.
Mr. Gregg owns fifty-seven acres of highly cultivated land, and
conducts a general farming business. He is a member of the Coal
Centre Presbyterian Church, while his wife is identified with the
M. E. Society, at Coal Centre.
R. W. Gregg, p. 514
R. W. GREGG is descended from a family who were among the first
settlers in East Pike Run township, this county. Many years ago
three brothers, Henry, William and John Gregg, emigrated from the
Emerald Isle, and made a permanent settlement in East Pike Run
township. Henry took out a patent for 349 acres of land known
as the "Burning Mine," which is now owned by one Mr. Duvall.
John Gregg was twice married, and William, the second brother,
was the grandfather of R. W. Gregg. William Gregg was married
to Ruth Jackman, a native of Ireland, and they settled on the farm
in East Pike Run township, where five children were born, as follows:
Henry (married to Jane Dowler), John (married to Nancy Gregg),
Robert (married to Ann Robinson), Andrew and Margaret (Mrs. Crow).
Andrew Gregg was born in March, 1808, in East Pike Run township,
grew to manhood on the homestead, and was married to Mary Ann
Huggins, who was born in 1812 in what is now Allen township,
Washington county. Of the children born to this union, six
are yet living, namely: Lucy Ann, wife of V. C. Jones, of Fallowfield
township; Ruth Ann, married to William Sphar, of Allen township;
A. J., living in East Pike Run township; R. W. (whose name opens
this sketch); Sarah Jane, wife of Thomas F. Frye, of Chase
county, Kans., and J. H., living in Allen township. The father
was actively identified with the interests of the Republican
party. He died on the old farm in 1872; his widow is yet living on
the place.
R. W. Gregg was born in 1848 on the home farm in East Pike Run
township, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood.
In 1881 he was united in marriage with Emeline Beadle, a native of
Fallowfield township, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Wallace)
Beadle, who were born in eastern Pennsylvania, and came to Fallowfield
township in an early day; her father died in 1887, her mother in
1872. By this union was born to Mr. Gregg one son, Delbert,
who lived about three months and then died. The mother passed
away October 17, 1881, and Mr. Gregg afterward married Lizzie M.
Jobes, of Allen township, Washington county, a daughter of William
Jobes, whose father, John Jobes, was an early resident of the
Monongahela Valley. By this marriage there were two sons: Albert R.
and William Andrew. After his first marriage R. W. Gregg settled in
Allen township, on the forty-six acres of well-cultivated land which
is now his home. He votes the Republican ticket, and in religious
faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mt. Tabor.
Mrs. Lizzie M. Gregg died September 1, 1892.
W. H. Gregg, p. 595
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 helpmate
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 South-
western 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.
Joseph M. Spriggs, p. 982
JOSEPH M. SPRIGGS, a leading merchant in the borough of Washington,
is a native of the same, having been born on Chestnut street
April 26, 1831.
His grandfather, Joseph Spriggs, came in an early day from New
Jersey to Washington county and settled in Canton township,
where he followed agricultural pursuits. He died in West Virginia
at the age of seventy-five years, the father of seven children,
all of whom are deceased. James Spriggs, one of these children,
was born in Washington county February 14, 1801, and reared on
his father's farm, attending in his boyhood the subscription
schools of his district, which in those early days were of a
somewhat primitive character. He held the office of constable
eleven years; was sheriff one term (1837-'40), register of wills
one term (1812-'45), and was assistant burgess at the time
of his death, August 6, 1854, which was caused by falling on his
head when jumping out of a wagon, death ensuing a few days afterward.
His widow, who was a daughter of David and Elizabeth Boyce,
and was born in Washington county January 6, 1805, died June 14,
1876, at the age of seventy-one years. They had a family of ten
children, all of whom died young except one daughter, Mary Ann
(married to Dr. R. W. Davis, of Washington), and our subject,
the latter being now the only survivor. Mrs. Davis died in
1869, the mother of three children, two of whom are living.
Joseph M. Spriggs, whose name appears at the opening of this
biographical sketch, attended the common schools of Washington
and Washington College, and when yet a boy commenced clerking
in William Duvall's grocery store, a line of trade in which he
has ever since continued, with some slight interruption, in the
city of his birth. In 1854 he embarked in business for himself
in the building nearly opposite where he now is, and there
remained seventeen years. He was a year out of business, and in
1886 he erected his present three-story building, equipped
with all modern improvements, including an elevator, and here,
under the firm of Joseph M. Spriggs & Sons, he has since been
engaged in a large and increasing business, comprising general
grocery, hardware, feed, etc., the largest of the kind in Washington.
In May, 1891, he commenced a grain elevator business in the city,
which is in charge of his son, Charles H. In 1854 Mr. Spriggs was
married to Margaret, daughter of James Donahoe, of the village
of Cross Creek, in this county, whose family were among the early
pioneers of the county. James Donahoe was born in 1801, and died
in Cross Creek in 1872. For thirty years he was a justice of the
peace; was commissioner two terms, and at one time was in the State
Legislature, representing Washington county. His widow is now a
resident of New Cumberland, W. Va.
To Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs were born eight children, of whom the following
is a brief record: James D. is a Presbyterian minister at South Lyon,
Mich. (he married Annie Wilson, of Fayette county); Mary Eliza died
in infancy; Charles H. lives in Washington, Penn. (married
Alice Hallam, and has three children); William died in infancy;
Joseph B. is married to a daughter of Joshua Wright and resides in
Washington; Margaret died in 1891 at the age of twenty-two
years; George D. died in infancy; John M. is still at home. On
February 2, 1888, the mother passed through the "golden gates" at
the age of fifty years, and on October 16, 1889, Mr. Spriggs
married Margaret A. Seaman, daughter of Alexander Seaman (deceased),
who for many years was one of the leading grocerymen of Washington.
Mr. Spriggs is a Republican in politics, and in church connection
has for forty years been a member of the M. E. Church, of which he
is at present steward.
Duvall Histories from Beers History. Part 3
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