GRAY, William

GRAY, FRASER, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/4/2014 at 11:40:55

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 555-56. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ WILLIAM GRAY

William Gray, postmaster of Clear Lake and who for the past fifteen years has been a prominent citizen of the place, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, June 24, 1856. His parents, Thomas and Agnes (Fraser) Gray, also natives of Scotland, came to the United States in 1873, bringing their children with them.

Mr. Gray enjoyed the advantages of a good education, attending the common schools in is native county and supplementing with a course in the University of Glasgow. It was while he in attendance at this famous institution of learning that his parents came to their decision to try their fortunes in America. Although Mr. Gray was only about seventeen years of age at the time he began about immediately to teach school in Grundy county, and from 1873 to 1878 he had the position of deputy county auditor of Grundy county. In the latter year he purchased a one-half interest in the Grundy County Republican and for four years he edited and published this sheet, or until his removal to Washington D. C. He spent ten years in the national capital in his capacity of special examiner in the pension department. In 1892 he returned to Iowa, and after three years of unsettled residence he decided to locate in Clear Lake where he purchased a one-half interest in the Clear Lake Mirror. Two years later he purchased the entire plant and conducted the same about 15 years. He was actively interested in the newspaper until October 1, 1909, when failing health compelled him to give up an occupation of such strenuous nature, particularly as he had at the same time of the position of postmaster. His appointment as postmaster came in 1905 and he now devotes his time to its duties.

Since the attainment of his majority, Mr. Gray has taken an active interest in politics and has given a stanch and unfailing support to the Republican party, although he is not personally attracted by the lure of office holding. He has given public served, however, acting as secretary of the school board for seven years and having the appointment of chairman of the Republican Central Committee. He is a past secretary of the Commercial Club and president of the Hawkeye Club, Clear Lake, Iowa. He a past chancellor commander of Chivalric Lodge No. 82, Knights of Pythias. He is progressive and well read and made an enviable reputation for himself in this section of the state as a newspaper editor. Mr. Gray was united in marriage July 7, 1880, to Miss Emma S. Elliott, who was born in Canada, in 1861. They have two children, Mabel and Walter C., both of whom are at home. The latter is deputy county treasurer of Cerro Gordo county.

NOTE: William Gray died in 1911. He was interred at Clear Lake Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014