James Herbert Gray 1854 - 1922

GRAY, COX

Posted By: Volunteer: Stacey Swierk
Date: 9/12/2008 at 10:50:39

“Date & Newspaper Unknown”

HERBERT GRAY

James Herbert Gray was born at Bloming Valley, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, on September 28th, 1854, and departed this life on February 18th, 1922, at Des Moines, Iowa, being in his 68th year.

Herbert Gray, as every one knew him was one of a family of seven children, consisting of five girls and two boys, four of whom are still living; two in Iowa and two in California. His father Simon Gray, emigrated with his family to Iowa in 1870, settling on a farm near Pittsburg, where he died the following year. The mother and children continued to reside on the old home place until the family were all grown, the responsibility of managing the farm and providing for their wants falling on the shoulders of Herbert and his brother Frank. He attended school at the old Troy Academy for several winters and afterwards taught several terms in the country schools.

On July 16, 1874, he was married to Maria Cox, daughter of Ennis Cox, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of that section of the country, who still survives him. To this union was born three children: Claude and Chester, now of Rapid City, S. D., and Maude, who passed away on March 6, 1917, at Milton, Iowa.

For years, until the family were grown, he resided on the old Fleming Mize place one and one-half miles southwest of Troy, Iowa, where he bore the reputation of being one of the best farmers for miles around; his reputation for honesty was known far and wide and the needy were never turned away from his door. He united with the Methodist Church in early life and remained a faithful and earnest member until the end, being for years one of the deacons and also serving a good many terms as superintendent. His house was a house of worship and he never began the day without asking the Lord’s blessing and guidance on his every act. Surely a good man has gone to his reward.

[Photocopy of this obit is located on page 249 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA]