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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 392-393
DUNCAN McGREGOR, M.A., Litt. D. In this age of intellectual activity, when success in the business world depends not upon mere physical prowess, but also upon mental activity, upon an ability to master the principles and details of any enterprise, the work of the educator has become of even greater importance than ever before. Long occupying a prominent rank among the educators of Wisconsin is Dr. McGREGOR, the well-known president of the Wisconsin State Normal School, Platteville, Grant county, under whose leadership that school has taken rank with the best of its kind in the country.
A native of Scotland, our subject was born in the Forest of Clunie, Parish of Clunie, Perthshire, Aug. 12, 1836, son of Malcolm and Catherine (KENNEDY) McGREGOR. The father was a farmer in prosperous circumstances while in Scotland. Until fourteen years of age our subject received instruction in a private school, and then prepared for college at Perth Academy, one of the best schools in Scotland, where he won several prizes in drawing and English. He took his academic course in the University and King's College, Aberdeen, where he spent three years, completing the junior year at that institution.
In June 1857, Dr. McGREGOR came to America, and located at Wausau, Wis., where he engaged in lumbering and running on the river for one year. In the fall of 1858 he took charge of the school at Farmington, this State, and remained there the three winters following, serving one term as town superintendent of the schools. For five years he was principal of the high school at Waupaca. Dr. McGREEGOR attended Lawrence University one year, passed the examination, and received the degree of A. B. He taught for a short time thereafter, and then, in 1864, joined the Union army, being chosen captain of his company, which was mustered in as Company A, 42d Wis. V.I. He served during the remainder of the war being engaged in provost duty on the Mississippi river and its tributaries. His military career ended, he resumed teaching in the high school of Waupaca, where he remained until 1867, when, a year after its organization, he was appointed professor of mathematics, teacher of methods and supervisor of practice in the State Normal School at Platteville, Wis. In 1878 Dr. McGREGOR was elected president of that institution, which responsible position he held uninterruptedly for sixteen years, when, owning to a change in the political complexion of the Board of Regents, he was not re-elected, but was made professor of pedagogy, while another was chosen president. Having resigned his chair in 1895, Dr. McGREGOR was again elected president, by the unanimous vote of the Board, a grateful testimonial to the ability and fidelity with which he served the cause of education for so many years.
The Wisconsin State Normal school was established Oct. 9, 1866, with C. H. ALLEN, now of San Jesse, Cal., as principal. He held that position four years, and was succeeded by Edwin CHARLTON, who died at Brodhead, Wis., in 1897. He was president of the school eight years, and was in turn succeeded by Dr. McGREGOR, who held the office sixteen years. Dr. James CHALMERS was then president for three years, at the end of which time Dr. McGREGOR again took charge of affairs. The institution was first known as the Platteville Academy. In 1853 a good building, 40 x 70 feet, was erected which was turned over to the State in 1866. It was then enlarged by a donation from the State of $20,000, and Gen Grant assisted in its dedication. An addition, 40 x 70 feed, was made in 1881, another addition, 50 x 90 feet, in 1891, so that the building is now 200 feet long, while the south wing is 100 feet deep, and the north wing 90 feet deep and all two stories in height. It is built of fine limestone, quarried at Platteville. Since the school came under the control of the State the attendance has increased from thirty to three hundred, and the Faculty has been increased from five to twenty-one, while the payroll has been increased accordingly. The school has a good physical and chemical laboratory, and is doing a large amount of work in biology and geology. The Doctor has prepared a book on drawing, published by A. H. ANDREWS of Chicago. As an evidence of his scholarly accomplishments Lawrence University has conferred upon him the degree of Litt. D.
Dr. McGREGOR was married Dec. 26, 1865, to Miss Anna BOWMAN, and to them have been born five children, Alice, Grace, Elizabeth, and Jessica, all teachers, and graduates of the State Normal; and Richard, still in school.
Dr. McGREGOR has always been an earnest advocate of Republican principles, but has chosen to be only a private in the ranks of the party, though in 1896 he was mentioned as a most suitable person for nomination as governor on the Republican ticket. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist. In Masonry he has passed from the Blue Lodge to the Consistory and Shrine; has been a member of Melody Lodge, F. & A.M., for several years; has repeatedly served as high priest of Washington Chapter, R.A.M.; was grand high priest of the State two years; committee on correspondence of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin eight years; a member of Commandery No. 12 K.T., of Mineral Point; of Milwaukee Consistory; and of the Mystic Shrine. He has ever been an advocate of progress and reform, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsement.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck