Mary Celia Gray

GRAY, HAMILL

Posted By: Connie Street, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/12/2003 at 21:20:02

Death of Mrs. Gray

Mary Celia, wife of W. H. Gray, Esq., and daughter of James A. and Harriet E. Gray, of Grandview died Tuesday morning April 4, 1882, at Columbus Junction, Iowa.

Mrs. Gray was born September 19, 1854, and was gifted with more than usual adornments. After receiving what the common school could give her in the way of an education, she entered Grandview Academy and almost completed its course under the excellent tution of Major M. S. Hamill and his corps of assistants.

She afterward entered Eastern Iowa Normal School, remaining nearly one year, altogether
securing a good training for her chosen work-teaching. Entering her work with a love for it and the children under her care, she attained a reputation in Muscatine and Louisa counties, where she taught, as being among the most successful of teachers. Her work is graven upon the heart-tablets of her pupils, and although she is now dead, her work still lives.

On her birthday, September 19, 1879, she was married to W. H. Gray, a young and rising attorney of Columbus Junction, Iowa, and with him looked forward to a useful and happy life. A sweet little daughter was born to them about six months ago. Although death came unlooked for to Mrs. Gray, yet she was not unprepared for it, for she was a woman of Christian walk and conversation, as is shown by her habit as a teacher of introducing her day’s work by reading God’s word and by appropriate prayer. And, too, this was not all - her every day life exemplified her Christian principles-she was a good citizen, serving her neighbors acceptably as a member of the school board, a dutiful daughter and kind sister, a loving wife and fond mother.

Her funeral took place at her husband’s residence, Rev. J. E. Eggert officiating. Mrs. Gray will be mourned not only by kindred, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Newspaper unknown.