gregory

FELIX G. GREGORY

Felix G. Gregory, proprietor of the livery, feed stable and bus line, of Fredericktown, Mo., is a native of Madison County, Mo., where he was born in 1840, being a son of Felix G. and Juliet (Craddock) Gregory. The father was a native Virginian, and in his youth went to New Orleans, but soon came to Missouri with Josiah Berryman, who settled in Arcadia. In a few years Mr. Gregory went to Mine La Motte, and engaged in mining, which occupation he followed for many years. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and was sergeant in Col. Lane’s regiment. He was afterward commissioned captain as a recruiting officer, returned home and organized a company, but the war closed before he reached the field. He died in 1853. His wife was born in Madison County, Mo., in 1814. Her father, Thomas Craddock, was a native of North Carolina, who came to Madison County, and located at the Buckeye Copper Mines. He was a house carpenter by trade, and was one of the pioneer settlers of the county. Mrs. Gregory is yet living, and is the mother of four children living: Mary (wife of George P. Rogers), Sarah (wife of Mr. Austin), Felix G., and Bell (wife of Dr. L. J. Villars, of Fredericktown). Felix G. was reared and grew to manhood near the scenes of his birth. In 1861 he enlisted in the State Guards, and in January 1862, enlisted in Company B, Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Green. He served four years operating in Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. He was in the battle of Poison Spring, Pine Bluff, Fredericktown and Little Rock. He was wounded several times, but not seriously. He had the top portion of his right ear shot off in his native county. He surrendered at Shreveport, La. After the war he went to Texas, and began speculating in cattle. In 1867 he returned to his birth-place, and in February of the following year married Miss Hannah A. Anthony, a native of Madison County, born in 1939, and the daughter of William Anthony. Eight children were the result of this marriage: William, Mark, Hannah, Bertha, Lizzie, John, Charles, and Mary. In 1871 Mr. Gregory established a milk dairy, one mile south of the county seat, and milks, on an average, twenty cows. He supplied the citizens of Fredericktown milk until 1886. In 1881 he established a livery, feed stable and bus line, which he has since conducted. He keeps twelve horses, four top buggies, two double buggies, two hacks, one bus and a hearse, the only hearse in the county. He meets all passenger trains, and has carried the mail for the past ten years. He owns thirty-eight acres adjoining Fredericktown. He is independent in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Christina Church.