Amador County Biographies

I. B. GREGORY 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


Was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, April 5, 1819, and for the succeeding thirteen years remained 
a resident of that State. His advantages for obtaining an education were somewhat limited, but he 
managed, by energy and close attention to his studies, to acquire a knowledge of the common branches, to 
which ho added, in after years, a large amount of practical knowledge, which places him on a firm basis 
in that direction. In 1832 he removed from Tennessee to the State of Missouri, where he remained 
until 1846, at which time he went to Texas, and for about three years was a resident of that State. In 
1849 he again emigrated, this time to Iowa, and stayed there three years, and then returned to Missouri. 
One year later he started for California by way of the plains, and after experiencing the usual 
incidents connected with such a trip, reached his objective point and located at lone City, Amador 
county, where he followed the occupation of contractor and builder. In 1862 Mr. Gregory was 
elected a Supervisor of his district, serving in that position about three years. In 1867-68, he rep 
resented his people in the Assembly of the State Legislature, in a very creditable manner to himself 
and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and was solicited to again accept the nomination for the 
same office, but declined. Mr. Gregory possesses the enviable distinction of being almost the only man ever 
elected to office in the county who did not urge his canvass with whisky. Some years since he joined a 
temperance society, the secretary of which firmly pasted the two sheets containing his signature and 
pledge, together, in consequence of which he cannot erase his name, and still feels bound by the obligation. 
His honor and integrity are the brightest jewels in his character. About three years since he 
removed from lone City to his present home in Jackson valley, a view of which is to be found in this 
volume. Mr. Gregory was married to Miss Martha Jane McMurry, March 2,1843; nine children are living 
at the present time to bless their union, one being laid to rest to meet them no more on earth. 

History of Amador, California With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 
of its Prominent Men and PioneersOakland, California, Thompson and West, 
1881.