JOHN H SPRAY, b 16 Nov 1824

SPRAY, PERRY, MARSHALL, ROMIGH, GILMORE, WARWICK, HUNNICOTT, KIESTER, SLOPER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 12/25/2004 at 21:10:28

John H. Spray, Postmaster, and dealer in farming implements, at Baldwin, has been a resident of this county since 1859. He is a native of England, born in County Essex, Nov. 16, 1824. He is a son of James and Ann (Perry) Spray. His parents reared a family of thirteen children, nine of whom attained their majority. The following is a partial record of this large and respected family: James T. died unmarried in England; George came to the United States, and resides in Trumbull County, Ohio. Charles came to the United States, and died in Portage County, Ohio, leaving three daughters; Ann has been twice married, and resides in England; John H., our subject, was next in order of birth; Edmund, Raymond, and William B. reside in England; Mary married, and died in Delaware County, Iowa; Sophia, now Mrs. Marshall, resides in Delaware County, Iowa.

John H., our subject, was reared on the farm, his parents being farmers. He had but very limited advantages for an education, but he applied himself closely to his studies, and obtained a good business education. At the age of seventeen years, in 1842, accompanied by his brother Charles, he started for the United States. They were the first of the family to leave England, and sailed from London, and after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed in New York harbor. They went to Ohio at once, and make their first stop in Licking County. Charles engaged as a blacksmith, and John H. went into the milling business. Here he learned the trade, and after working at various places in the State, came to Jackson County, Iowa; being one of the pioneers. He engaged in the milling business at Ozark, where for thirteen years he was known far and wide as a reliable and accommodating miller.

Our subject removed from Ozark, at the close of his thirteenth year there, to Mill Rock, and ran a mill at that place until 1870, when he removed to Baldwin, and took charge of a hotel. In 1873 he engaged in the agricultural implement business, and continued to conduct the hotel business until 1882. He served as Justice of the Peace there for some time, and politically, is a Democrat.

John H. Spray has been twice married. In 1845 he was united in marriage with Rosana Romigh, who died in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, leaving one son, Plinn, now a resident of this county. His second marriage was in 1863, at which time he was married to Elizabeth Gilmore, daughter of John Gilmore. To them were born six children: Homer L.; Carrie, now the wife of William Palmer; Charles, Elethie, Thomas, and Laura.

John Gilmore, the father of Mrs. Spray, was born in the North of Ireland, was a weaver by trade, manufacturing fine linen. He was married to Jane Warwick, and about the year 1820, immediately after their marriage, came to the United States. He first lived in Philadelphia where he pursued his trade for five years. Then he engaged in work in the coal mines at Mauch Chunk, and later settled in Butler County, Pa. In 1852 he came to Iowa and settled in Jackson County on a farm in Brandon Township. He died at the age of seventy-five years, March 18, 1885. His wife is still living. Mrs. Gilmore was born Jan. 3, 1811. They became the parents of nine children: Mary, the wife of James Hunnicott of Tama City, Iowa; Samuel, a resident of Clay County, this State; James, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Alexander, of Girard, Kan.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Spray; Jane, the wife of Hiram Kiester, and who is residing in this county; Robert also resides in this county; Sarah, the wife of Mortimer Sloper, died in Oregon in 1871; William resides in Arkansas. Mr. Gilmore and wife are Presbyterians.

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