William S. Gregory
William Samuel Gregory (August 4, 1825 – August 11, 1887) was the first mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, beginning his term on April 18, 1853. [1]
When Kansas City was incorporated on March 18, 1853, it had an area 0.98 square miles (2.5 km2) and a population of 2,500. 63 votes were cast for mayor and Gregory defeated Dr. Benoist Troost by nine votes.
William S. Gregory | |
|---|---|
| 1st Mayor of Kansas City | |
| In office April 18, 1853 – February 1854 [1] | |
| Preceded by | office created |
| Succeeded by | Johnston Lykins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Samuel Gregory August 4, 1825 Shelby County, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | August 4, 1887 (aged 61) |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery |
| Political party | Whig |
Gregory was born on August 4, 1825 in Shelby County, Kentucky.
He moved from Kentucky, with his wife Elizabeth, to Jackson County, Missouri in 1844 and operated a grocery store on the levee. He and other settlers petitioned to incorporate the Town of Kansas.
Gregory only served 10 months as mayor, when it was discovered that he lived on a farm that was outside the city limits eastern boundary at Locust Street. Therefore, he was not eligible to be mayor. Dr. Johnston Lykins finished out his term, beginning in February 1854.[1]
He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. In the 1930s, 71st Street was renamed Gregory Boulevard in his honor.[citation needed]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Green, George Fuller (1968). A Condensed History of the Kansas City Area: Its Mayors and Some V.I.P.s. Kansas City: The Lowell Press.
External links[]
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- 1825 births
- 1887 deaths
- Mayors of Kansas City, Missouri
- People from Shelby County, Kentucky
- Burials at Elmwood Cemetery (Kansas City, Missouri)
- 19th-century American politicians
- Louisville metropolitan area stubs