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ISAAC L. GREGORY , who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 28, Gardner Township, is a representative of one of the early and respected families of the county. His paternal grandfather was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the community, and a more extended mention is made of that worthy gentleman in the sketch of Edward Day. His father Isaac Gregory, was a native of Derbyshire, England, but when a mere child was brought to this country and spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon a farm in Sangamon County. On attaining to mature years he purchased land in Gardner Township, but afterwards removed to Macon County, where he opened up a farm near the city of Macon, that has now for many years been his home. The land has been placed under a high state of cultivation, many improvements have been made and a fine farm of two hundred acres, as a result of his thrift and industry, pays tribute to the care and labor he bestows upon it. He married Susan Ray, who was born in Gardner Township and was a daughter of Samuel and Elsie J. Ray, who were early settlers of this community. Her death occurred when our subject was but three years old. There were four children in the family, but the two eldest, Albert and Samuel, died in Macon. Thomas and Isaac, twins, are engaged in farming; the former in Macon County and our subject, as before stated, in Gardner Township.

Isaac Gregory was born on his father's farm, about four and one-half miles from the city of Springfield, on the 11th of March, 1861. After his mother's death he went to live with his grandfather, Samuel Ray, in whose home his childhood days were passed until ten years of age, when his father was again married and he returned to the parental roof. The second wife of Mr. Gregory, Sr., was Adelia V. Moore, and one child was born of that union. As before stated, Isaac L. returned to his father, and in the district schools of Macon County he acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by a year's course in the State Normal University of Bloomington, when he was seventeen years of age. He continued to assist in the development of his father's farm until he had attained his majority, when he began life for himself.

On the 14th of April, 1882, Mr. Gregory was united in marriage with Miss Louie J. Bradley, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride in Gardner Township. The lady is a daughter of Ledbetter Bradley, a prominent citizen of the county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Gregory then purchased a farm upon which the young couple began their domestic life, but after a year he returned to Gardner Township and rented land of Mr. Bradley. His own farm he traded for a one hundred and ten acre tract of land in Macon County, which is still in his possession. In the year 1888 he located on his present place, the Talbott farm, where he is operating one hundred and five acres of land. He raises all kinds of grain and does considerable business in the line of stock-dealing. At the age of eight years he began handling horses, since which time he has had more or less to do with stock. He keeps on hand good grades of cattle and hogs which he is constantly improving, and from this branch of industry he receives not a little of his income.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Gregory has supported the Democratic party and has held several local offices, was Assessor for one year and for two years served as Collector. In the discharge of his duties he displayed the same fidelity to trust reposed in him that has characterized his entire life and won him the regard of his fellow-townsmen. Socially he is a member of Hope Lodge, F.M.B.A. Mr. Gregory is a popular man, having won many friends, and his estimable wife is also held in high regard.