Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Lena Louisa (Mrs. Robert) McGregor, 1979-?
By Harriet Dorion, student, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York
Suffragist along with Husband
Lena Lydia Miller was born 1879 in New York City. Her father, Rumsey Miller, was a lawyer and her mother, Marie L. Miller, was recorded in the census as “keeping house.” She had one brother, Henry Miller, born the year before her. In 1903 she married Robert Gardner McGregor a Scottish immigrant who had been in New York since around 1872. Together they had 3 children; Louise, Robert G Jr., and Rumsey, who they raised at 219 North Avenue New Rochelle, New York . Her husband was a minister at the North Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Rochelle. Together they were noted to be present in women's suffrage events along with parties and dinners of the elite class. Robert McGregor is mentioned as being an honored speaker at many men's club talks, Christmas dinners and a few rallies. Lena Lydia is noted as being supportive by helping set up Christmas events with the church and being present at some rallies where her husband spoke. He died in 1944 in New Rochelle, New York , USA. No report was done of Lydia's death but we know from Robert's obituary that he left her as a widow.
Lena McGregor's suffrage activities included attending a suffrage meeting in New York City in February 1913 and being active in the unsuccessful statewide suffrage campaign in the fall of 1915. Another newspaper reference had her helping to fraise funds fotr the Silver Cross Day Nursery at a 1912 Bazaar.
SOURCES:
Anthony, Susan B. and Ida Husted Harper. History of Woman Suffrage. Vol. IV (1883-1900). Rochester, N.Y., 1902.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth census of the United States, 1880-Population. Ancestry.com website.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth census of the United States, 1900-Population. Ancestry.com website.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth census of the United States, 1910-Population. Ancestry.com website.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth census of the United States, 1920-Population. Ancestry.com website.
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995. Ancestry.com website.
New York Times (1923-Current File); Oct 31, 1944; ProQuest Historical Newspapers; The New York Times.
New York Times (1923-Current File); Sept 1, 1928; ProQuest Historical Newspapers; The New York Times.
New York Times (1923-Current File); May 16, 1908; ProQuest Historical Newspapers; The New York Times.
New York Times (1923-Current File); Jan 01, 1910; ProQuest Historical Newspapers; The New York Times.
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