Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Gray, Jonathan S. 1821 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 6, 2007, 10:45 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

JONATHAN S. GRAY. We are pleased to present here one of the retired farmers of
Oregon Township, Lapeer County, who has done his life work and is now enjoying
the just recompense of years of hard labor and sturdy enterprise. He is a native
of New York, where he was born March 17, 1821 and his boyhood days were spent
upon his father's farm, remaining under the parental roof until he reached the
age of twenty-three.

  Leaving New York the young man now came to Lapeer County, and established
himself here on section 35, Oregon Township, thus being one of the very first
settlers herein. The third frame house which was erected within its bounds is
the one which was then his home and the one where his son Steven, now lives.
Upon first coming here the family had to do all their trading and marketing at
Pontiac and Lapeer, as there was no nearer town where supplies could be obtained.

  New Year's Day 1842 marked an important epoch in the life of Mr. Gray, as he
was then united in marriage with Miss Lydia A., daughter of Abraham and Nancy
(Vanderbogart) Edwards. This lady was born in the Empire State, February 27,
1826, and her father, who followed the calling of an hotel keeper, lived to
reach his sixtieth year.

  To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been granted seven bright and beautiful children,
all of whom are now living save one. Their names are as follows: Steven D.,
Rhoda C., Alanson U., Alexander E. (deceased), Sarah F., Ward B. and Flora J.
The advancement and development of the county is a consummation toward which Mr.
Gray has labored persistently and consistently and he is considered one of the
substantial men of the community both in a property sense and in character and
principle. He has been active in promoting every movement looking to the
well-being of the community and his judgment and counsel are always sought in
matters of moment.

  The political principles and policy which Mr. Gray believes to be the most
conducive to both the present and future prosperity of the Commonwealth are
those which are expressed in the platform and declarations of the Democratic
party. He claims that the party to which the author of the Declaration of
Independence was attached and which has been represented by such men as Old
Hickory and the Little Giant is good enough for him in these modern days.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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