Early Settlers: Richard Spencer Gregory

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

Richard Spencer Gregory was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia in 1876. His father E. S. Gregory, a farmer and merchant, fought with the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

In 1893, Richard moved to California, first settling in Placentia, and then coming  to  Fullerton 1896. He partnered with Mr. Balcom, Mr. Fuller and Mr. Welton to purchase 100 acres just north of Chapman and east of Spadra (Harbor) and subdivided it for homes. This area included the present grounds of Fullerton Union High School.

He developed the area known as “Hill Crest” with homes. His residence on Hill Crest was one of the nicest homes in the city.  

Gregory also laid out the following subdivisions in Fullerton:  “Hermosa,” “Jacaranda,” “Ramona,” “Orange Grove,” “Wilshire.”  “Gregory,” “Glenwood Square,” as well as subdividing several ranches into smaller tracts.  

In addition to real estate, he engaged in citriculture, having improved several orange groves, and owned his own orchard.

He married Mabel B. Schulte in Fullerton in 1899, whose parents William and Mary Schulte were pioneers of Orange County. They had two children–Erma and  Merrill.

Mr. Gregory was a member of Fullerton City Council for six years in the 1920s, the last two of which he served as  mayor.  According to biographer Samuel Armor, “His service as trustee and mayor was the era of the beginning of public improvements  in Fullerton. The streets were paved, the city sewer plant constructed, the city water plant built, the fire apparatus bought and the fire department started.”

He was a director of the Home Mutual Building & Loan Association of Santa Ana, and a director of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Fullerton. He was a director of Orange County Y.M.C.A. and belonged to the Fullerton Club, the Newport Yacht Club, and a Mason at the Fullerton Lodge.

Richard served as postmaster in the 1930s and 40s. 

His son R. Merrill Gregory, was president and chairman of Fullerton Savings and Loan – later Fullerton Community Bank. His grandson Carl, who passed away in 2009, served as CEO of this bank.

Source: History of Orange County, California : with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its earliest growth and development from the early days to the present by Samuel Armor. Los Angeles Historic Record Co, 1921.