PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM.                      

page 698

CHARLES A. CREGAR.  The building interests of Clark County recognize in the subject of this notice one of its most skilled architects, who, although yet a young man, has attained to a high position in his profession.  He has spent his entire life in this vicinity, is a native of the city of Springfield and was born May 9, 1858.  He represents one of its most substantial families, being the son of Nathan and Catherine (Smith) Cregar, the former a native of Washington County, Pa., and born in 1825.  He died at his home in Springfield in 1885.  The paternal grandfather was Daniel Cregar, who traced his descent to Germany, and who spent his last years in Maryland.  The mother of our subject, also a native of Washington County, Pa., is still living and makes her home in Springfield.

Nathan Cregar from early manhood was a contractor and builder, of Springfield, and followed this business up to the time of his death.  Mr. Cregar studied architecture with Samuel Sloan, of Baltimore.  In 1883 he took our subject in as partner, which continued until his death, since which time our subject has conducted the business. The parental family consisted of four children, viz.: Edward F., who is employed in the office of his brother, Charles A.; Frank M., a resident of Springfield; Lulu, the only daughter, and Charles A., our subject.  The latter, like his brothers, was given a good education, completing his studies in the High School at Springfield. He commenced studying for a draftsman soon afterward, and gradually advanced to architecture, drawing plans for large and substantial buildings and making of this a specialty.  Subsequently he went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he worked with and under the instruction of the noted draftsman, T. J. Tolan, with whom he remained about eighteen months.  By this means be gained a thorough knowledge of the different branches in the construction of public buildings, and evinced an admirable adaptation to this line of work.

Returning now to Springfield, Mr. Cregar entered the employ of  T. B. Peet & Co., manufacturers of galvanized iron fixtures, and was their principal draftsman for a period of one and a half years.  In 1884 he determined to embark in business on his own account, and accordingly opened an office in the Mitchell Block, and since that time has been employed as the architect of some of the finest buildings in the city of Springfield, among them being the Second Lutheran and the United Presbyterian Churches, the High School building, the East High Street School, the Pearl Street School, the Henry and Stewart Blocks, the Savings Bank, the Bookwalter Block and Arcade Hotel, the City Hall or Market House, this latter being the finest building in the State.  In 1879, at the building of the new post-office, Mr. Cregar was Superintendent of Construction, and its goodly proportions give ample evidence of taste and skill combined with great solidity and strength.

The residence of our subject is located at No. 63, North Factory Street, and his family consists of his wife and two children.  He was married in 1879, in Springfield, to Miss Mary, daughter of Edward and Ellen Burns.  The parents of Mrs. Cregar were natives of England and Ireland respectively.  She was born in Springfield, where also she was educated and reared to womanhood. Both she and her husband stand high in social circles, enjoying the friendship and society of the best people of their community.  Mr. Cregar belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, R. A. M., and Palestine Commannery, No.33, K. T.  

31 Jan 2000

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