Frank R. McGregor

FRANK R. McGREGOR, the accommodating real estate agent at Baxter Springs, and a business citizen in the insurance line was born in Kendallville, Noble County, Indiana, August 19, 1866, and is a son of Capt. Robert P. and Martha (Baker) McGregor.

The McGregor family is of Scotch extraction, the name being still identified. after hundreds of years, with some of Scotland's best military representatives and its highest political and social circles. The grandfather of our subject crossed the Atlantic, from Scotland, in 1834, and settled at Montreal, Canada. His two sons, Robert P. and Adam, were born in the Dominion.

Capt. Robert P. McGregor was born at Toronto, Canada, July 4, 1835. His education was received there and when he had attained his majority he came to the United States, locating at Kendallville, Indiana, where he followed the trade of a painter and paper-hanger. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, and became captain of Company B, 152nd Reg., Indiana Vol. Inf. and served three and a half years until the close of the war. He served mainly Under General Grant, but was with General Sherman in the "March to the Sea." Captain McGregor returned to Kendallville after the close of the war, and resumed his business there until 1877, when he removed to Baxter Springs. Cherokee County, Kansas, where he resided until his death, in 1897. He was one of the organizers of the Bordertier Brigade, which has since been changed to the Inter-State Reunion Association and was its quartermaster and general manager until his decease.

Captain McGregor was twice married, first to Martha Baker, a daughter of Alpheus and Mercy Baker, of Vermont and New York, respectively. Our subject was the only child of this marriage. The second union of Captain McGregor was with Eliza Moore, and one daughter,—Mary,—is the survivor of their three children.

Captain McGregor was past commander of the Grant Army of the Republic post at Baxter Springs; a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; Select Knights; Patriarchs of America; Select Friends and the Legion of Honor. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him and a representative citizen of Cherokee County. He also served a term in the State House of Representatives at Topeka.

Our subject obtained his education in the public schools of Baxter Springs and Columbus, and at the age of 18 years began his training under his father in painting and paperhanging and assisted in the filling of many large contracts. He continued in this work until 1901 when he entered into the insurance business and later was appointed agent at Baxter Springs for the Adams Express Company, which he filled until August 12, 1904, when he gave up the agency to engage in other business.

Politically, Mr. McGregor is a Republican, and he has held the office of constable. He also served as quartermaster-general of the Inter-State Reunion Association for two years after the death of his father. He is very prominently identified with the Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Security, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Select Knights and Ladies and Sons of Veterans and in all the organizations has held many of the offices. Mr. McGregor has by strict attention to his business made and held friends with people of all political parties and has the confidence and good will of all.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3-17-97