One of Peekskills venerable citizens is written about in an 1896 Highland Democrat obit- It is worth reading as a sense of the towns mores and values at the time-it is truly a photograph of a sort. James Leverich Gregory was one of Peekskills oldest, best known and most respected business men. In early life he learned the trade of a miller at Variant Mills. Later he was with his father who was interested in the Peekskill Plow Works and the foundry business at different times. A few years was spent in Bridgeport, where he was employed in a factory. About fifty years ago he took charge of the gunsmith business on Main street which he has conducted since and which has become a familiar business establishment to every Peekskiller. To his general repair shop and gunsmith trade he has added from time to time a full line of sporting goods and musical instruments and appurtenances. Mr. Gregory was of a quiet, retiring nature. He never held public office and avoided publicity of any sort. He was connected with no fraternal orders nor societies. His energies in this direction were all concentrated in the Peekskill Rifle Club of which, since its organization, he has been the moving spirit and its staunchest supporter. He has been a rifle shot of some merit and seldom if ever missed a club shoot His loss to the club will be a great one. Mr. Gregory was a man of strict integrity and held in high esteem by the community in which he has lived for nearly four score years. Although, as said, he seldom mingled with the busy circles of business, social and political life, still he was none the lees known and respected, and his death adds one more name to the rapidly decreasing list of Peekskills pioneer citizens and merchants. There are but few left. The funeral services will be held from his late residence tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon at half past three oclock. THE HIGHLAND DEMOCRAT, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1896.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:35:48 +0000