Bio: Charles J. Gray, Webster Par., Louisiana
Source:Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez
Date: April 2000



**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 


===


===Charles J. Gray, farmer, Cotton Valley, La.  Mr. Gray is a native of 
Tennessee, born in Sumner County on September 16, 1837, and is the son 
of C. H. Gray, a native of Kentucky.  The latter grew to manhood in 
his native State, and when a young man went to Tennessee, where he was 
married to Miss Catherine S. Hassell, a native of that State.  The 
father was a farmer by occupation, but in connection carried on the 
carpenter's trade.  In 1853 he left Tennessee and removed to Louisiana, spending the first three years in Bossier Parish.  In 1857 they settled in what is now Webster Par., Louisianaopened up a farm, and here his death occurring in 1861.  His widow survives him at this writing.  Charles J. Gray is the second of a family of two sons and one daughter, all of whom grew up and are living.  The brother, William A. Gray, resides in Tennessee, and the sister, Matilda J. Gray, resides with our subject.  Charles J. Gray came to this State and parish with his parents in 1853, attained his growth here, and remained with his father until the latter's death.  In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Louisiana Infantry, Company B, and served until the final surrender.  He enlisted as a private and was promoted to sergeant.  He participated in the fight of Franklin, La., and a number of skirmishes west of the river.  After the war he returned to Webster Parish and engaged in farming on the old home place where the family located in 1857.  He has been on this plantation ever since, and is the owner 
of 920 acres with 400 acres improved.  He has a neat farm residence, 
one of the best in Webster Par., Louisianaand aside from the above-mentioned 
farm he owns a half interest in a 480 tract.  Mr. Gray started out 
empty handed after the war, but has been very successful in all 
enterprises he has undertaken.  He was married in this county on 
December 15, 1875, to Miss Mary E. Davis, daughter of Jonathan G. 
Davis, and sister of John Davis, whose sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work.  Mrs. Gray was born in Georgia and principally reared in 
that State, being educated in Minden Female College.  To this union 
were born four children: Aylmer H., Charles Griffin, Mary D. And 
Mattie S.  Mrs. Gray is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  
Mr. Gray is a member of the Farmers' Union and is treasurer of his 
local lodge.  He has taken an active part in the Union since its first 
organization.