Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Gray, James ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 7, 2008, 2:58 am Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907 James Gray, who departed this life October 21, 1905, arrived in Joliet in 1871 and was engaged in horseshoeing and blacksmithing throughout his remaining days, covering a period of more than a third of a century. A native of Belfast, Ireland, he was born December 10, 1S4S, his parents being Alexander and Isabel Gray, who were natives of Scotland. The father was a blacksmith by trade and in his shop James Gray learned the business. He acquired only a common-school education in his native country and was the eldest of a family of twelve children. When he began working in his fathers shop he was so small that he had to stand on a block to reach the anvil but even as a young lad he showed a spirit of strong determination and willingness that soon mastered the business. He worked in his father's smithy until early manhood, and then, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America in 1868. He made his way direct to Will county, Illinois, settling first in the town of Frankfort, where he had a friend living, who was also a blacksmith and conducted a shop there. Mr. Gray entered the employ of his friend and thus started in business life in the new world. While living in Frankfort Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Arabella McKeown, also a native of Ireland and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Carmichael) McKeown, who spent their entire lives in Ireland and passed away there when Mrs. Gray, their only child, was but ten years of age. The father was a millwright by trade. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray were born five children: Elizabeth, who is at home with her mother; Margaret, who is a teacher in the Richards street school in Joliet; William A., a machinist of this city; Ethel, a teacher in the Eliza Kelly school; and Mabel, a stenographer. All are at home with their mother, who owns a nice and beautiful residence at No. 201 Grover street, which was built by Mr. Gray. Following his marriage Mr. Gray resided in Frankfort and worked at his trade there until the 1st of May, 1871, when he removed to Joliet. Here he rented a shop on Chicago street and began business on his own account, soon securing a liberal patronage. He made a study of horseshoeing, in which he was an expert. Later he purchased the shop at No. 306 South Chicago street and subsequently he employed his brother, William Gray, as one of his helpers and the latter now carries on the business for Mrs. Gray. Mr. Gray continued in business up to the time of his death, and his excellent workmanship secured him a liberal patronage, so that as the years went by, through the careful husbanding of his resources, he acquired a handsome competence. He was a stanch republican in politics and took much interest in the work and growth of the party but was never an office seeker. For many years he was an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and he held membership in the Episcopal church, of which his widow is also a communicant. While he did not seek to figure prominently in public life he was always interested in community affairs and the good qualities he manifested in all life's relations won him the confidence and trust of his fellowmen and gained him those warm personal friendships which are not based upon honor, fame or success but have their bases in individual character. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/gray2618nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb