William S Gray

GRAY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/21/2010 at 14:17:34

William S Gray enjoys and extensive patronage as a hardware merchant of Ogden and has won an enviable reputation as a straightforward and reliable business man. His birth occurred in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa on September 21, 1875, his parents being Alex and Ann (Shearer) Gray, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They emigrated to the United States in the 40's. Alex Gray, who was a miller by trade, followed that occupation for some time or until he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for nine years. In 1893 he came to Boone county, this state, and purchased a tract of land which he cultivated during the remainder of his life. In his demise, which occurred on December 16, 1904, the community lost one of its substantial and esteemed citizens. His widow survives.
William S Gray was reared and educated in Johnson and Boone counties of Iowa, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then pursued a course of study in the commercial college of Omaha and was subsequently employed as a traveling salesman for five years. On the expiration of that period he went to Oklahoma and for three years carried on business as a plumber of Enid. The next two years were spent as a traveling salesman and then he came to Ogden, Iowa, here embarking in the hardward business in partnership with A G Howe. Subsequently he purchased his partner's interest and has since continued in busines alone. He carries a large stock of shelf and heavy hardware and is accorded a liberal and well merited partonage. He owns the double store building of two stories in which the business is conducted and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous, enterprising and representative merchants of the county.
On June 1, 1912, Mr Gray was united in marriage to Miss Ailene Farnham, a daughter of N H and Eleanor (Gardner) Farnham, who were pioneer settlers of Wisconsin. The father now makes his home in Idaho, but the mother passed away in 1906. Mr and Mrs Gray have one child, Elaine F who is a year old.

1914 Boone County History Book