Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 170
THOMAS P. GRAY, Sheriff of Muscatine County, Iowa, was born in Greene County, Pa., on the 21st of August, 1855, and when seven years of age emigrated to this county with his parents, Hon. Francis A. J. and Ada (Palmer) Gray, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wellsburg, W. Va. They were married in Wellsburg, W. Va., in 1853 and shortly afterward removed to Greene County, Pa., where they resided until January, 1864, when they became residents of Wilton Township, where they still continue to make their home. Mr. Gray is one of the stanch Democrats, and has twice been honored by an election to the State Legislature. During the late war he enlisted, and served as Second Lieutenant. Mr. and Mrs Gray are the parents of five sons and three daughters.

The primary education of our subject was received in the district schools, but subsequently he spent two terms at the Wilton Collegiate Institute and one term at the Eastern Iowa Normal Institute, at Grandview, Louisa County. After completing his education he engaged in the profession of teaching in the district schools during the winter time for several years, spending the summer months upon the farm. In 1883, he received the appointment of Deputy Sheriff, serving in that capacity from 1883-1887, when he received the nomination as Sheriff, and at the succeeding election became Sheriff, which office he still holds. He is a young man of good business ability, full of energy, and is bound to make his way in the world. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P., Uniform Division, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Hawkeye Lodge No. 30, and Washington Chapter No. 4, R.A.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page