William McGregor

Today, we bring you one of Sylvia Henricks' "Remembrances." You can read more of Sylvia's columns weekly in The Franklin Township Informer, or in her book From The Ash Grove (available directly from the FTHS, and via the web site). 


We can be sure that a road of some kind, named or unnamed, ran in a westerly direction from Acton. We see it on early maps. The road or trail followed the creek (Wildcat Creek, on one map) staying on its north side. Then it cut in a northwesterly direction , perhaps through a wooded acres, to a point where it again went due west.

William McGregor, for whom the road was ultimately named, was not a pioneer settler of Acton. According to a brief biography of him, reprinted in the Society’s Historic Treasures (p.87), originally taken from “The People’s Guide, a business, political and religious directory of Marion County, Indiana, published in 1874,” he was born in 1828 near Madison, Indiana. His mother died early, and his father had trouble providing for the family. William and one of his brothers moved to Madison and learned the blacksmithing trade. William moved to Greenwood where he opened a shop. He added another fire in 1851, another in 1852, and a wagon shop. In 1858 he sold his shop at a profit and bought land in Missouri where he moved his family.

His daughter’s health caused him to return to Acton, where he bought a house and lot. He built a shop with five fires where he made plows, buggies and wagons, working five blacksmiths, seven woodworkmen, two painters and a trimmer.” William McGregor directed his prosperous business until 1866, then bought 88 acres of land from Joseph Fitzgerald for $84 an acre. He added several more parcels of land until in 1893 he owned 215 acres of which 150 were cleared. Mr. McGregor was a trustee of the Missionary Baptist Church.” The McGregors had nine children, two of whom died in infancy.

What a surprise it was several months ago when our Society received an email and a framed photo of the house from a woman who lives in Ames, Iowa. (I am quoting Marlena’s "Remembrances” of March 28, 2012.) “She had bought it at an estate sale among other items, and rather than give it to the Goodwill, she decided to contact us first. And we’re so glad she did! Of course, no one knows how the picture got to Ames in the first place. . . ” We wrote her, thanking her for the photo, which had arrived safely. It can be seen on display at the Meeting House.

According to the Society’s Franklin Township Area Old Houses (1982) p.67,the house is believed to have been built around 1887. Harold Mutz bought the property in 1954 and did extensive restoration, adding a family room and kitchen. Other previous renters or owners have been The Faulconers, Dore and Edith Nolting (1935-47, Littletons and Ralph Burge. Mr. Mutz sold it to Dr. Paul Walton, who has also made restorations.

McGregor Road

Today, we bring you one of Sylvia Henricks' "Remembrances." You can read more of Sylvia's columns weekly in The Franklin Township Informer, or in her book From The Ash Grove (available directly from the FTHS, and via the web site). 



Another of the early roads in Franklin Township is what is now known as McGregor Road. If we consider “early roads” those that seem simply to have grown from use, perhaps animal trails through the woods or along streams, or paths from one place to another, there are three such roads in our township. Shelbyville Road, that winds its way into Indianapolis, McGregor Road, which connects the south-east corner of Franklin Township to the north-west corner by a long-ago path to we now call Churchman Avenue, and a third (or fourth) road might be Vandergriff Road which winds through the north east corner of the township to Wanamaker. These old roads are interesting to contemplate.

On old maps what we call McGregor Road is clearly shown, running west from Acton (or east to Acton) along the north bank of Wildcat Creek. It makes a turn or two, and heads for the present-day Historical Society Meeting House on Franklin Road. There at one time, it followed the north property line due west for a short distance, and then went cross-country through the Deerberg farm. (I once visited the family, and, as we talked, I asked how it happened they had built their house so far off a road. “Oh,” Mrs. Deerberg said, “but there was a road. It went right by our house. Part of it is still our lane to Stop Eight Road.” A couple other jogs and the old road appeared to connect to the south end of Churchman Avenue.

I called Max Bridgford of Acton to ask if he knew anything about the road, or an earlier name. “It’s been McGregor Road all my life,” he said. He told me the names of five famiilies that have lived on it. John Meyers, Bill Meadert, Jerry Rabourn, Dr. Walter Rubush,and “Mr. Nolting who lived in the McGregor House until Mr. Mutz bought it.” Max also told me that Acton Road was another road paved with cement, as was the Shelbyville road. He remembered how some farmers driving horse-drawn wagons had to use the berm, if the road was too slippery for horses.

I plan to write something about William McGregor next week, and use an early photograph of his home, which the Historical Society came by in an unusual way. I know nothing about Vandergriff Road, where it got its name, who built it, or how old it is. Any information would be welcome.

Map (1900?) shows McGregor road north of Wildcat Creek, going through Mr. McGregor’s properties. The road is not named on the map. It runs north of the town, crosses Buck Creek, and into Shelby County.

On this date in 1899...

...Nothing of astounding historical significance happened in Indiana.

BUT July 1, 1899 is the stated birthday of that famous (fictional) archaeologist Henry Walton Jones, Jr. You probably know him better as Indiana Jones. (Don't call him Junior, though; he hates that.)

And there's your random fiction fact for the day! Happy July, Hoosiers. And if you're visiting our friends north of the border, remember that it's Canada Day up there!