William S. Gregory
1825 births | 1887 deaths | kansas city metropolitan area
William S. Gregory (August 4, 1825 - August 11, 1887) was the first mayor of Kansas City, Missouri in 1853.
When Kansas City was incorporated on March 18, 1853, it had an area 0.98 square miles and a population of 2,500. 63 votes were cast for mayor and Gregory defeated Dr. Benoist Troost by nine votes.
Gregory moved with his wife Elizabeth to Jackson County, Missouri in 1844 from Kentucky. He and other settlers petitioned to incorporate the Town of Kansas. Gregory only served 10 months when it was discovered that his farm was outside the city limits eastern boundary at Locust Street. Since he lived outside the city limits in rural Jackson County, he was exiled to St. Louis, Missouri and his farm confiscated during the American Civil War in the infamous General Order No. 11 (1863). He returned to Kansas City after the war.
He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. In the 1930's 71st Street was renamed Gregory Boulevard in his honor.
External links
Category: 1825 births Category: 1887 deaths Gregory, William
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