John J Gray, b 24 Oct 1836

GRAY, BLIVEN, SMYTH, MCKINZIE, BLEVINS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 5/1/2004 at 07:18:27

John J. Gray, engaged as a jeweler and watchmaker, at Sabula, pursues the even tenor of his way as a quiet and unassuming citizen, is a reader and a thinker, and a man capable of conversing intelligently upon all subject of general interest. He came to this county in the spring of 1855, settling first at Bellevue, where he conducted a jewelry shop until 1858. He then returned to Adams County, Ill., where he had formerly lived, and for a year thereafter was occupied as clerk in a store at Burton. From that time until 1862 he followed the profession of a teacher.

In the spring of the year above mentioned Mr. Gray started once more for the Farther West, and establishing himself at Dayton, Nev., occupied himself in the quartz mines, drove a team, and prospected until the spring of 1864. Then, returning to Adams County, Ill., he was married, May 5, of that year, to Miss Matilda, daughter of Samuel G. Bliven, one of the largest farmers of that county. The young people, in June following, came to Iowa, and took up their residence in Bellevue, where our subject engaged in the jewelry and furniture business until September, 1866. He then came to Sabula, opened a shop, and dealt in watches, clocks, and jewelry until December, 1882. Then changing his residence to Centerville, he sojourned there about four years, returning to Sabula in the fall of 1886, where he has since remained. He is master of his trade, repairs and sells the various articles in his line of business, and manufactures shell and other kinds of jewelry. His patrons are numbered among the best people of this vicinity, where his square dealing, and promptness in meeting his obligations, have secured for him an enviable reputation.

Mr. Gray may properly be termed a self made man, as his acquirements are the result of his own industry and perseverance, and his close application to whatever he has undertaken. He never attended school a day in his life, but was given excellent instruction by his father at home, and thus became master of the common branches of study, while his habits of reading and observation have conspired to make him more than ordinarily well informed. He was born in Parkman, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 24, 1836, and is the son of Alvan and Eliza Gray; the former a native of Columbia County, N.Y., and the latter of Williamstown, Mass. Alvan Gray was a cabinet-maker by trade, but finally became interested in farming, and secured a tract of land in Trumbull County; and later in Athens County, Ohio. In 1847 he removed with his family to Adams County, Ill., where he spent several years before his death, which took place in 1857. The mother survived her husband two years; dying at their home in Illinois, in 1859. They were the parents of ten children, only four of whom are living: Alford R. is unmarried, and is operating in the silver mines of Nevada; Maria, Mrs. Smyth, lives in Burton Township, Adams Co., Ill., together with Laura, Mrs. McKinzie.

Our subject spent the first twelve years of his life in Ohio, and then accompanied his parents to Burton, in Adams County, Ill., in 1847. Desiring to learn watch-making he, in 1851, repaired to Cleveland, Ohio, and served a three-years' apprenticeship at the trade. At the expiration of this time he returned to Illinois, and thence came, in 1855, to this county. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born four children; the second of whom, a daughter, - Gladys - is the wife of Horton Blevins, a railroad conductor, with headquarters at Centerville, Iowa. They have one child, a daughter, Mabel. The other children, Mary J., Alice M., and Gertrude, remain at home with their parents.

Mr. Gray has been quite prominent in local affairs, officiating as Councilman, Township Clerk several years, also as Justice of the Peace. He was elected Mayor of Sabula, in 1882, serving one term; was Recorder a period of seven years, and for six years Secretary of the School Board. Mr. Gray was a candidate for County Auditor, in 1881; but, in company with the balance of the ticket, was defeated. He identified himself with the I.O.O.F. about the year 1871, while a resident of Sabula; has filled the chairs of his lodge several times, and at the present time is a member os Lafayette Lodge, at Sabula. He is one of those men who form the bone and sinew of every well-regulated community.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)