Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gray, Walter 1819 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 6, 2007, 2:47 pm

Author: Portrait & Bios Album, 1890

WALTER GRAY. This gentleman's early identity with the farming and stock grow 
interests in this part of Illinois entitles him to representation in this 
Biographical Album as a pioneer of the county. His home is in Wheatland 
Township, where he located many years ago. He has retired from the more active 
life of his early years, and though still having an interest in the farm that 
he developed from the wild prairies, he has turned over its management to his 
sons, retaining but ten acres of it for his own use. Mr. Gray is a native of 
Lanarkshire, Scotland, and was born in the month of September, 1819. He was a 
son of Charles and Ellen (Watson) Gray, likewise natives of Scotland. He was 
reared on a farm principally and received but limited educational advantages. 
He is, however quite a reader, and keeps posted on matters of general 
interest. Our subject married in his native land January 1, 1869, taking as 
his wife Jane Wilson. She was also of Scottish birth, born September 22, 1819, 
and a daughter of Job and Janette (Anderson) Wilson, natives of Scotland. Four 
of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray are now living as follows: 
Charles, in Leadville, Col.; John and Walter, in Wheatland Township; Jeanette, 
wife of Alexander Martin, of Ottawa, Kan. In 1849, desirous of improving his 
prospects in life and of being able to build up a home for himself and family, 
our subject emigrated to this country, taking passage at Glasgow, on a sail 
vessel and after a voyage of about twenty-six days, landing in Quebec, Canada. 
For a short time he lived in the Province of Ontario and then coming to 
the "States," he took up his abode in Will County, and has been an honored 
resident here ever since. He began life here under adverse circumstances, 
having but fifty cents when he landed in the country. However, he was well 
endowed with brawn and muscle, and with sturdy, persevering, industrious 
qualities, inherited from a Scotch ancestry, and setting to work with cheerful 
courage, in the years that followed by persistent toil evolved a fine farm 
from the tract of wild prairie that he purchased. He first located in 
Plainfield Township, was there some three years and then took up his abode in 
Wheatland Township, having secured a tract of wild land. He did not become 
prosperous without having to pass through the trials and hardships of early 
pioneer life here and the endurance of many privations and self sacrifices. 
His farm comprises two hundred acres of land, finely improved and provided 
with excellent buildings, and is under the management of his two sons, John 
and Walter, he retaining a life interest in it. He has here a comfortable home 
and has the use of ten acres of land. He has been greatly assisted in his 
labors by his devoted companion, who may well be described in the following 
words, as: "The housewife, clean of heart and conscience, the buckler and 
helpmate of her husband." By his life of industry and uprightness Mr. Gray has 
won not only worldly gain, but the affection and confidence of all about him. 
For many years a Presbyterian, he has never wavered in his adherence to his 
faith, and is one of the most consistent members of the United Presbyterian 
Church in Wheatland, his wife also belonging to that church. In politics he is 
a sturdy supporter of the Republican party. He has been a School Director for 
a number of years and has always favored all schemes for the educational and 
moral elevation of the community.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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