William 'Bill/Claude' Claude Gregory

Bill grew up and was educated in Matlock School District. Bill & Nellie were farmers in Crawford County, this being Nellie's home and inheritance. He worked for many years at night at Cherryvalley Mines. He was a Baptist deacon and helped build the original Center Point Baptist Church. A firm Democrat, he was involved in his community, where he often served on the school board. Bill was a part-time carpenter and sharechopped to pay debts during the depression. He is widely remembered for his ability to catch large catfish in the Meramec. A lifelong friend of Harry Jamison, who he traveled cross country with and threshed wheat, never having to worry because Nellie was a very capable mother who loved to sew, cook, can and garden. In fact, when she died it was in her much loved garden. She was a strong willed Methodist and Republican. She attended the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis.