Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Gray, Sylvester H. February 3, 1846 - 
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Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 January 27, 2009, 1:42 am

Author: 1883 Mecosta Co. Portrait & Bio Album

SYLVESTER H. GRAY, senior member of the firm of S. H. Gray & Co., 
manufacturers of lumber, lath and 

shingles. at Big Rapids, was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 
1846.  His parents were Hiram 

T. and Susan (Minsker) Gray.  At the age of 16 he was sent to Wyer's Military 
Academy, Westchester, Pa.  The 

school was under the management of Major Echendorf, a graduate from West 
Point, whose pupils gained unusual 

proficiency, and a considerable degree of public notoriety for drill 
exhibitions in various places.  Mr. 

Gray was a member of Company B, with the rank of Orderly Sergeant.  On 
completing his course of study he 

went to Williamsport in the employ of Slonaker, Howard & Co. as book-keeper 
and partner.  The busines of the 

house was heavy and prosperous, and the relatin existed until 1873.  In that 
year Mr. Gray came to Big 

Rapids, and the partnership of Phippen, Gray & Howard was formed.  The concern 
operated in logs, lumber and 

pine lands until Nov. 1878, doing a successful business.

At the date named the present business relation of S. H. Gray & Co. was 
estbalished.  The house is engaged 

in extensive and prosperous operations.  They own a saw-mill on the lower dam, 
east of the river, where they 

have a lumber yard and employ 20 hands;  they also own a shingle mill on the 
west side of the river, above 

the lower bridge, where 35 men constitute the laboring force.  They make 18 
inch shingles which they kiln 

dry, being therby enabled to facilitate shipping.  They manufacture about 
20,000,000 annually, and sell 

chiefly in Eastern markets.  The shingles of their make, known to the trade as 
the 18-inch XXXX, are among 

the best products in that line.  The business of the firm also includes logs, 
lumber and pine lands.

Mr. Gray was married at Grand Rapids, June 16, 1875, to antha, daughter of Wm. 
S. and Margaretta (Hill) 

Gray, born in Freeport, Ill., April 8, 1849.  They have one son, Vivian, born 
at Big Rapids, Nov. 17, 1876.

Mr. Gray is a stockholder and director in the Northern National Bank, is 
Secretary and Treasurer in the Big 

Rapids Boom Co., and Secretary of the Big Rapids Water-Power Improvement 
Company.

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