American Legion Gregg Post 12-Berks County, PA

At Huntingdon, Matthew Gregg met Ellen McMurtrie, the fourth of eleven children of David McMurtrie II and Martha Elliott. They were married in 1828.

The talents of the McMurtrie men pertained to merchandising or to the practice of law. The Gregg men were involved in politics or the making of iron. America was moving into the "Iron Age" and Juniata iron was the best on the market. The iron masters of Pennsylvania formed a unique aristocracy. Everything that went into the manufacturing process came from their own land. The ores were abundant and rich, forming the best source of iron known in America at that time. Some of the iron masters moved west to Pittsburg and were among the first of the iron millionaires. They built beautiful homes and raised fast horses.

Among such daring men, Matthew Gregg found friends. But he was restless. His family was increasing faster than his fortunes. In 1845, Matthew Gregg and his brother James began to do some prospecting. They found an old iron works in Loudoun County, VA and with the help of brother-in-law David Mitchell bought the Potomac Furnace. It was located one mile south of the Potomac River near Leesburg and the family moved into the ironmaster's home.

In late spring both men were stricken with fever and Mrs. Ellen Gregg cared for both of them. Matthew D. Gregg died on July 27, 1845, and his brother died on Aug. 8. Both were buried at New Valley Church near Leesburg. Mrs. Gregg returned to her sisters & brother in Hollidaysburg. Mrs. Gregg, who tended to the sick men, also became ill and was sent to the Bedford Springs Health Resort. On Aug 17, 1847, she died at Bedford Springs. The children were scattered among relatives.

David Gregg and one of his brothers went to live with their Uncle David McMurtrie III in Huntingdon. They attended the John A. Hall school in Huntingdon.In 1849 David was sent to the Milnwood Academy, a preparatory school at Shade Gap. The following year he joined his older brother, Andrew, at the University of Lewisburg, which later became Bucknell University. His brother became ill while they were visiting Philadelphia during a break from their studies. Andrew W. Gregg, not yet 20 years of age, died on March 11, 1851. That year David received an appointment to West Point from Representative Samuel Calvin of Blair County. His Uncle Robert McMurtrie was the one to suggest his name to the Congressman. David Gregg passed the entrance exams and on June 4, 1851, was admitted as a cadet at West Point.