Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Gay, William 1820 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 4:13 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

William Gay

The history of Grundy county would be incomplete without the record of this 
gentleman, who is the oldest resident of Wauponsee township. He was born in 
Connecticut, April 20, 1820, and is the son of Robert and Julia Ann (Crowell) 
Gay, both of whom were also natives of the Nutmeg state and were of English 
origin. The father was a molder by trade and resided on a small farm.

William Gay acquired his education in the public schools of his native state, 
and at a very early age was left an orphan. When a youth of fifteen he went to 
Brooklyn to learn the carpenter and joiner’s trade, remaining in that city for 
five years. Subsequently he removed to Orange county, New York, where he 
followed his chosen vocation for three years and then started westward, 
eventually arriving at Southport, Wisconsin. He was not pleased with that 
section of country, however, and returned to Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, 
where he remained for one season. At the expiration of that period he again 
came west, this time making his way to Chicago, where he became superintendent 
of the erection of some large buildings for an extensive manufacturing 
company. When that task was completed he secured a position as overseer in the 
carpentering department in the works of Peter W. Gates & Company, where he 
continued for three years. He next went down the Illinois river for the firm 
of Munn & Scott, and was engaged in the milling business, which he followed 
for about three years. When that time had passed he sold out and came direct 
to Grundy county, in 1854, settling on a farm which formed a part of his 
present fine homestead. For many years he engaged in the tilling of the soil 
and transformed his land into richly cultivated fields which yielded to him a 
golden tribute for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. He was thus 
actively connected with agricultural interests until 1894, when he retired to 
private life, giving his farm over to the management of his son. He also owns 
some valuable business property in Morris and is accounted one of the 
substantial citizens of the community, a position he has attained as the 
direct result of his own well directed efforts.

In 1856 Mr. Gay was united in marriage to Miss Mary Matilda Gulick, a daughter 
of Adam and Anna (Tecla) Gulick. Her father was a native of Strassburg, 
Germany, and his wife was born in Bailystock, Poland. Mrs. Gay’s birth 
occurred in Goshen, Orange county, New York, in 1823, and she was educated in 
the village schools of that town. They have but one child, Willis Russell. Mr. 
Gay is a stanch Republican in politics, but while taking a deep interest in 
the success and growth of his party he never sought office. His is an 
honorable old age, in which he receives the veneration and respect which 
should ever be accorded those of advanced years. His life has been industrious 
and upright, and in its evening he can look back over the past without regret.


Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 501-502

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