~ JAMES A. GRAY, b. 13 Mar 1852 ~ Related Surnames - GRAY, GREENE, DAVIS James A. Gray, who is still on the sunny side of forty, is numbered among the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Iowa Township, where he owns land to the extent of 200 acres on section 32. He has been uniformly successful in his farming and business interests, and makes a specialty of stock-raising, his favorites being full-blooded Short-horn cattle and Poland-China swine. He has followed agriculture since boyhood, is a man universally respected among his neighbors, and in his township is quite prominent in public affairs, having officiated as Trustee and Assessor several years, and still occupies the latter named office. Mr. Gray was born in Lyons, Clinton County, this State, March 13, 1852, and was orphaned when but three years old by the death of both his parents who passed away within a week of each other. The father, it is supposed, was a native of Alabama, whence he removed some time in the forties to Iowa. He was by a trade a millwright and carpenter, and died while superintending the erection of the Leeds Grove Mills. After the death of his parents our subject was taken into the family of Hon. G.F. Greene, of Miles, with whom he lived until twenty-four years of age, receiving an excellent education, and being graduated from the Lyons High School in June, 1869. He was married less than seven years later, Jan. 2, 1876, to Miss Kate, daughter of William and Mary Davis. Mrs. Gray was born in Hamilton, Canada, Dec. 22, 1855, and was brought by her parents to this county when but six months old. The mother of Mrs. Gray resides with her. The father is deceased. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, a son, died in infancy. Our subject, politically, supports the principles of the Democratic party. Mrs. Gray is a member in good standing of the Congregational Church at Miles. They have a pleasant home with the prospect of a bright and prosperous future. The residence is especially fine, while the barn and other outbuildings are in keeping with the ideas of the modern agriculturist. Mr. Gray avails himself of the latest improved methods and first-class machinery in the prosecution of agriculture, and realizes a handsome income. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)