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         WILLIAM GRAY, deceased, was born in Stratford, England, on the 26th of October, 1824, and was a son of James and Susan (Mills) Gray, who were also natives of England. When he was six years of age his parents emigrated to America, settling first in Baltimore, Md., where the father engaged in farming, and where the death of Mrs. Gray occurred. The family later removed to Columbus, Ohio, where they remained for a few years, and in 1840 came to Lou- . . .

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. . . isa County, where the father purchased a farm on section 3, Columbus City Township, and made it his home until his death, which occurred May 1, 1880, at the age of eighty years. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.

Of the family of James and Susan Gray our subject was the only surviving child. He was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio and Louisa County. His marriage with Sarah Stronach, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of William and Sarah (McBee) Stronach, was celebrated Jan. 8, 1847, and two children were born of their union, sons: James E., of Columbus City Township, and William H., an attorney-at-law at Columbus Junction. The death of the father occurred Jan. 31, 1888. He was one of the representative men of his time, having served the township as one of its Trustees for a number of years, and took an active interest in its educational institutions, serving several years on the public school board, and was a man of prominence in the community. Mrs. Gray is still living, and resides with her son James E., on the home farm in Columbus City Township.

James E. Gray, a son of William Gray, whose sketch is above, now resides on section 3, Columbus City Township. He was born on that farm, March 21, 1849, and his education was received in the public schools of the county. He was reared to farm life, and in 1877 was united in marriage with Margaret J. Dawdy, who was born in Iowa, and is a daughter of Alfred and Mary (Gunter) Dawdy, who were natives of Kentucky. One child has been born to them, a son, Chester E. Mrs. Gray is a member of the Christian Church.

In connection with the cultivation of his farm of 240 acres, Mr. Gray has, since 1882, made a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. He purchased the first of this breed from J. P. McCulley and other prominent breeders, and has now a fine herd of recorded stock. He also keeps stock on hand ready to sell at any time. For the past twenty years he has raised the pure-bred Chester-White hogs, of which he keeps constantly on hand a number of head. He has exhibited his stock at a number of State and county fairs, and been a successful prize-winner, in many instances carrying off the highest honors. He has a State reputation as a breeder of fine stock, and has been very successful in this department of his business. In his political views Mr. Gray is a Republican, and while he is somewhat enthusiastic in support of that party, he has never sought public distinction as a politician, preferring to devote his entire attention to the more agreeable occupation of farm life. He takes a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the public good, and has been prominently identified with the agricultural societies of the county and district, and has served on the Board of Directors several years.