Gregg - Samuel H. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The late Samuel H. GREGG for many years engaged in business in Crawfordsville, led a life so consistent with high ideals as to recommend him to the favorable consideartion of the people of MOntgomery County, where he maintained his residence for many decades, and was regarded as a public benefactor. Mr. Gregg was born in this county on June 11, 1827, on a farm, being thus a pioneer child, and he grew up amid primitive conditions and was therefore not a stranger to the hard work of developing the home farm. He received the usual education in the common schools. He continued farming until he was 24 when he came to Crawfordsville, becoming one of its early businessmen. He was apartner in the first hardware store ever established in this city. He was successful in a financial way and soon had a good home here, and he did much for the early development of the city. He was the founder of the Indiana Wire Fence Company, manufacurers of barbed wire fence. He was an active member of the Methodist church. here he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring May 27, 1900.

In 1847, Samuel H. Gregg married Sarah I. CHRISTMAN, who was also a native of Montgomery County, and here her death occurred in 1861. To this union one son was born, Orpheus M. Gregg, who is still living in Crawfordsville and of whom a sketch appears on other pages of this volume. On Dec. 15, 1870, Mr. Gregg was again married, his last wife being Sarah M. MUNNS, a daughter of George and Anna SHANKLIN Munns. She was born in Union Twp, this county, May 13, 1840. George Munns was a native of Ky, his birth having occurred there Jan 1,1 813, and form there he came to Montgomery County, Indiana when a small child, the family locating here when this county was a vast, unimproved wilderness. When he grew older he assisted in claring the land, on which the family located and he continued farming in this locality all of his life, becoming very successful with advancing years and was well known, influential and highly respected by all who knew him, and here his death occurred on May 8, 1877.

Anna Shanklin, wife of George Munns, was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah CROOKS Shanklin, who were also pioneers in this section of the great Wabash Valley Country. She was born on Oct 30, 1815 and she reached the remarkable age of 94 passing to her eternal rest in 1909. She was a woman of extraordinary attributes, an exceptionally strong and lovable character. She transacted all her own business until the last. George Munns was a very successful farmer and stock raiser. He managed the home place, on which he lived, until his removal to Crawfordsville about 10 or 12 years before his death. Three children were born to George Munns and wife: Minnie wife of Samuel AUSTIN, cashier of the First National Bank of Crawfordsville; Sarah, who married Samuel H. Gregg of this memoir; Anna married AC Austin, a successful and well known business man. George Munns was a Republican in politics, and religiously, gelonged to the Baptist Church. The union of Samuel H. Gregg and second wife was blessed by the birth of one son, George Munns Gregg. He was a young man of brilliant intellect and great promise, was liked by all who knew him, esteemed for his genial and gentlemanly personality. He married Jessie COFFMAN of Champaign, Illinois. Mrs. Gregg is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She is a lady of many admirable characteristics and has long been popular with a wide circle of friends. -- typed by kbz

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Source: H.W. Beckwith, 1881 History of Montgomery County, Indiana p 176

S.H. GREGG & Son, dealers in hardware & implements, Crawfordsville -- the Senior member of the firm, Samuel H. Gregg, was b. in Montgomery Co June 11, 1827 and lived on the farm until he was 24 years old. He then entered as a partner in the first hardware store in Crawfordsville and has ever since continued in that business. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and was marr, the first time, in 1847 to Sarah L. CHRISTMAN, who d. in 1861. He was marr. the second time in 1871 to Sarah J. MUNNS. She is also a member of the Methodist Church. The junior member of the firm, Orpheus M. Gregg was b. Oct 7, 1848. He has always lived in this cfounty with the exception of about one year spent in Calif. He graduated with the class of 1870 in the classical course of Wabash College. He was married in 1872 to Julia MILLS, daughter of Prof. C. Mills. They have two children, both boys. Mr. & Mrs. O.M. Gregg are both members of the Center Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gregg is treasurer of the city school board, and in politics is a republican. Gregg & Son are honorable gentlemen, have a large store, a large corps of clerks and are doing an extensive business. -- typed by kbz