GRAY, Harlow 1816-1884

GRAY, EATON, NIXON

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 3/5/2012 at 10:48:50

#1:

Our old friend and esteemed citizen, Harlow Gray, died at his home Monday night. He was one of the early pioneers of this county, and a man well known for his many generous qualities of head and heart. He was a kind husband, and much esteemed neighbor. He was 64 year old, and has resided in this city or on his farm below town, for the past twenty-eight years.

His funeral took place this forenoon, attended by a large gathering of old settlers. neighbors and friends of the deceased, who came to pay the last sad rites in the memory of their old friend and neighbor and join their tears of sorrow with, that large circle of relatives, whose grief is unspeakable, and who mourn the death of their beloved and highly respected companion and relative.

The condolences of all our citizens goes out to them in this sad hour of their afflication

[ Oct. 1884 ]

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#2:

Harlow Gray was born in Meadville, Crawford Co., Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1816. He was a son of Jacob and Eleanor (Eaton) Gray, the father having been a soldier in the War of 1812, and his grandfather, Samuel Eaton, was a commissioned officer in the same war.

Harlow's parents were natives of Vermont, where they were married. Mr. Gray died when Harlow was three years of age, and Mrs. Gray afterwards married Samuel Scribner, by which union there were five children — Angeline, Harrison, Sarah, Jane and Ellen, deceased.

Harlow was educated in the common schools of Ohio, where his parents had settled in 1823. In 1835 they emigrated to St. Joseph Co., Michigan, where Mr. and Mrs. Scribner died.

Harlow was married in Michigan to Jane Nixon, January 1, 1844. She was the daughter of Francis M. and Mary (McCurdy) Nixon, who had nine children, two sons and seven daughters.

In 1850 Mr. Gray took a trip to California in company with Mr. Nixon, who died there. Mr. Gray then returned to Michigan, and in June, 1853, came to Mitchell County in company with Dr. Moore. There being no public conveyances at that time, he and the doctor came on foot. As they came through Floyd Co., Iowa, the doctor's feet gave out, and he was obliged to lay over one day in Floyd, Mr. Gray coming on and arriving one day in advance. They immediately took up the claims on which they now reside, and where they have lived for more than thirty years. In the fall of the same year their families came, landing on the 22nd of October. They spent their first winter in a log cabin 12 x 16 feet, built by Mr Hart, the first settler of the township. Soon afterwards, however, a new cabin was built, and Mr. Gray and his family began to enjoy comfort and prosperity. He hauled the first logs to the Cutler Mill.

Mr. Gray has been identified with Mitchell County for thirty years, and has been a witness of its wonderful growth. He has seen the wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms, and the rude log cabins gradually disappear and comfortable residences take their place.

On his removal to Mitchell County, Mr. Gray's family consisted of his wife and one child — Albert H. Gray, born at Mottville, St. Joseph County, Michigan, July 29, 1848. He is now living in Redfield, Spink County, South Dakota, a pioneer of that county, as his father was of this.

[History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883]