FERMAN E. GRAY
The
death of Ferman E. Gray on August 14, 1908, removed from the
agricultural stage of Lucas county a man who was standing in
the midst of active life, launched upon a successful career. Although he was but
thirty-eight years of age at the time of his demise, he had
already attained a recognized position among the substantial
farmers of the county and was readily recognized as a leader
in agricultural matters, for he was a man imbued with the
modern spirit who would promote development and advancement. Born near Milo,
Warren county, Iowa, on March 10, 1870, he came to Lucas
county with his parents and resided with them on the home farm
until his death. His
parents were J. S. and Elizabeth (Devore) Gray, natives of
Indiana and Kentucky respectively, the former of whom passed
away in Jackson township, this county, in March, 1912, the
latter preceding him in death in October, 1902, her demise
occurring in the same township.
Of their seven children, four are living, as follows: Fountain, of
Colorado; William, of Kansas; Mrs. Boston, of White Breast
township; and Jacob, of Kansas.
Ferman
E. Gray was reared under the parental roof and received his
education in the district schools near the farm. Early he became
acquainted with thorough agricultural methods, assisting his
father in his work, and gradually more and more of the
operation of the farm fell to his lot. On his demise he
left eighty acres of fertile land on section 1, Jackson
township, to his family, his wife deriving there from a
comfortable income.
On March 27, 1904, Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Effie M. Snuggs, who was born in Otter Creek township, Lucas county, Iowa, on December 1, 1868, having always remained a resident of this section. Her parents are S. G. and Adaline (Jenkins) Snuggs, the former a prominent farmer of Lucas county, where he has resided since 1862. He was born near London, England, March 2, 1845, and coming to the United States in 1850 with his mother, settled first in Henry county, Illinois, there remaining until removal to Lucas county was made. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Gray were Joseph and Harriet (Stent) Snuggs, natives of England, born in 1808 and 1809 respectively, who died in Lucas county, the grandfather on January 6, 1889, and the grandmother on July 31, 1898. Mrs. Adaline Snuggs, the mother of Mrs. Gray, was born in Brown county, Indiana, October 27, 1848, coming with her parents to Lucas county in 1851. The latter were Alexander and Elizabeth Jenkins, natives of Ohio and Kentucky respectively, the former of whom died in White Breast township, this county, and the latter still residing in Hamburg, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Snuggs became the parents of ten children, of whom one, John, the second in order of birth, is deceased. The others are: Mrs. Effie Gray, the wife of our subject; James, of Chariton; Fannie, of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Charles, residing at home; Mrs. Amanda Roberts, of White Breast township; Jacob, of Otter Creek township; Mrs. Estella Ruble, of Liberty township; and Ethel and Earl, who reside on the Snuggs family homestead. Mr. Snuggs is one of the foremost men of Otter Creek township, being widely renowned as a successful live-stock raiser. Mr. and Mrs. Ferman Gray were the parents of one son, Lester R., born January 27, 1905, who is now attending school.
Mr. Gray always took a deep interest in the affairs of his county and efficiently served as road supervisor and school director, being especially interested in the good roads movement and the cause of education. Fraternally he was a member of the Yeomen, belonging to the lodge at Lucas. A member of one of the early pioneer families of Lucas county, it was his father who plowed the first furrow where Chariton now stands and there he was located before the first shanty was erected. The father also burned the brick for the fist courthouse ever erected in Lucas county. The untimely death of Ferman E. Gray was a matter of deep regret to his many friends and acquaintances, who esteemed him for his warm-hearted kindliness, his open-heartedness and his many other high qualities of mind and character. A good husband and father, he left his family well provided for and his memory is fresh in the minds of those dear to him.