Gray, J. H.

GRAY, LEWIS, CAMPBELL, JOLLY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2019 at 09:09:54

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 523-24:

"J. H. GRAY, section 20, Grand River Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Terre Haute, August 5, 1840, a son of Joel and Elizabeth (Lewis) Gray . He was sixth of a family of eight children, the others being -- George, America, W. T., A. Ann, William, Thomas and Sarah. When our subject was an infant his parents moved to DeWitt County, Illinois, where they lived until he was twelve years old, and then came to Iowa and lived two years, near Osceola, Clarke County. In 1854 they moved to Decatur County, and here he grew to manhood on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. July 6,1861, he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Company D, Fourth Iowa Infantry, Colonel Dodge commanding. He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, capture of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, and Mission Ridge. At Claysville, Alabama, he was captured, and was held a prisoner at Andersonville and Florence twelve months, when, February, 1865, he was exchanged. He was discharged June 22, 1865, and returned to Decatur County. He located on the farm where he now lives in 1884. It contains 120 acres, which when he first moved on it was wild land, but is now fairly improved, and his farm buildings are comfortable and well built. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, his land being especially adapted to the latter industry. Mr. Gray was married October 19, 1865, to Ruth Rebecca Campbell, a native of Tipton County, Indiana, daughter of Robert and Rachel (Jolly) Campbell. They have seven children -- Thomas, John, Joel, Stella, Albert, Minnie and Nellie. Mr. Gray has served his township as justice of the peace five terms, dispensing the duties of his office in an impartial manner to all who are called before his courts. He in politics affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Banner Lodge, No 437, Grand River, Iowa."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)