West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 142 by Charlie Miller
Old Timers cont'd
One of the most colorful was Edwin Earl Gregg, more commonly called “E. E. Gregg.”
- 87-Year-Old Man Rediscovers Cycles- Earl Gregg, a spry and witty 87-year-old widower who owns a 27-acre farm near West Jefferson, has rediscovered motorcycles. His enthusiasm began in 1910 when he purchased his first motorcycle. But in 1928 he sold his cycle on the advice of his late wife, Emma. “Emma said that I was too old to ride a motorcycle.” But 46 years later the enthusiasm returned.
His 1973 Harley-Davidson sports a 350cc engine. Gregg notes that daredevil Eviel Knivel is planning to jump the Snake River for ‘chicken feed’ ($6 million). If he makes it, I’ll jump Little Darby for $10 million. But I want the cash in advance so I can look at it in case I don’t make it. His wife, Emma, died on Christmas Day, 1971, shortly after they had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Earl had an insurance agency located at 6 E. Main St. He served as Village Clerk for many years. He died October 30, 1983, age 96, and is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
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- A Man Who Was Dearly Loved In West Jefferson – Allen Patterson was born July 17, 1917, and lived in West Jefferson all his life. If you knew Allen Patterson, you knew West Jefferson of years gone by, a time when the town was like one big family—in fact, most of it was! The stories of Allen helping people in West Jefferson would fill a book. A list of people who owed Al a debt would fill another book. He and a lot of his family worked at the Red & White store when it was owned by Ed Britton. After Ed died, Allen bought the store. Along with his church, Hattie, and the Red & White store, this was his life. He once sold the store but then bought it back. Nobody but Allen could make the store work. Everyone knew that was where he belonged. It was a store that time forgot; you’re not going to find many others like that one left, and you’re not going to find many Allen Pattersons either. People took advantage of Al, but he never let that stop him from keeping on helping people. Allen died September 28, 1996. This town will sorely miss Al Patterson and, if it were to close, the Red & White as well. The Bible tells us that a good name is more precious than riches. Now Allen has both, for the Lord has called him home. I have the assurance, as many others, that we’ve not seen the last of Allen Patterson; we’ll meet again!
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One old timer that nobody living would now remember was Dr. John Noble Beach. He was born in Amity, Ohio, on January 29, 1829. At 15 years of age, he was teaching school there for $8 a month. He graduated from the Sterling Medical College in 1850. In 1859, he came to West Jefferson and opened his practice. In April 1862, he was commissioned a Surgeon of the 4th Army Corps, which included the 40 O. V. I. He participated in the Battle of Chickamaugua. He was one of 3 operating surgeons in his Division. After he mustered out, he returned to Jefferson. His office was in the large brick building on W. Main St., which he had built. He served in the Lower House of the State Legislature and served two terms on the staff of the State Surgeon General. He later wrote a history of the 40th. He served on the staff of Gen. Alger, National Commander of the G. A. R. He was a correspondent for the Madison County Democrat. His daughter was a member of the first graduating class of W.J.H.S. Dr. Beach, who died on July 17, 1897. His funeral was the largest ever seen in West Jefferson. He is buried at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.