GRAY BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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GRAY, Cecil E. - b: 1894 Big Creek Twp, Henry Co, MO
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 722
residence: Big Creek Twp

Cecil E. Gray, a progressive young farmer and stockman of Big Creek township, is 
a native son of Henry County. His father, Francis M. Gray, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume, was also born in Henry County, and the Grays are one of 
the pioneer families of this section. Cecil F. Gray was born in Big Creek township 
February 21, 1894. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the 
Norris High School. He later attended the University of Missouri, where he was 
graduated in 1916. He then engaged in farming and stock raising in partnership 
with his father in Big Creek township, where they own and operate one of the 
large farms of the county. It consists of 1,280 acres and they are extensively 
engaged in breeding registered Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and also 
general farming. The Gray place is known as the "Inland Farm" and as an up to 
date and modernly conducted stock farm, it has few equals and no superiors in 
this section of the State. Mr. Gray was united in marriage January 22, 1917, with 
Miss Mary J. Stansberry, a daughter of W. A. and Sarah F. (Webster) Stansberry. A 
sketch of W. A. Stansberry appears in this volume. Mr. Gray is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge and is one of Henry County's representative young agriculturists. 

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GRAY, Francis M. - b: 1865 Big Creek Twp, Henry Co, MO
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 714
residence: Big Creek Twp

Francis M. Gray, a native of Henry County, born in Big Creek township July 28, 
1865, is one of the progressive farmers and stock men of Big Creek township. His 
parents were John L. and Catharine E. (Ross) Gray. The father was born in east 
Tennessee October 4, 1812, and died October 7, 1866. The mother was born in 
Kentucky January 21, 1828, and died August 14, 1909. They were married 
February 17, 1848, and the following children were born to this union: Francis M., 
the subject of this sketch; Mary J., born November 29, 1848, died June 14, 1867; 
Clayton C., born February 10, 1850, died February 12, 1850; Margaret E., born 
January 23, 1851, died January 25, 1851; Sarah C., born May 6, 1852, died May 18, 
1852; Webster W., born July 9, 1853, died March 27, 1913; Anna E., born 
September 15, 1855, died August 30, 1857; Washington G., born June 14, 1857, 
died June 16, 1867; William H., born June 26, 1858, died July 4, 1858; John C., 
born July 21, 1859, died May 1, 1869; Alice L., born January 24, 1862, died May 
21, 1883; Joseph, born February 6, 1867, died April 18, 1867. John L. Gray came 
to Henry County about 1840 and settled in Big Creek township, where he entered 
land and also bought a number of acres. His entire holdings aggregated about 
2,600 acres. He built a residence on section 22 and here was engaged in farming 
and stock raising during the remainder of his life. Prior to the Civil War he owned 
a number of slaves. When he first settled here Lexington was his nearest 
important trading point and he made frequent trips to that place. He hauled a part 
of the lumber for his first home from Otterville, a distance of fifty miles. 
Francis M. Gray spent his boyhood days on the home farm in Big Creek township 
and was educated in the rural schools of the neighborhood and later attended 
Central College at Fayette, Missouri, and also took a course at the Gem City 
Business College, Quincy, Illinois. He then returned to the home farm, where he 
remained until 1894, when he moved to his present place, which is located about 
a mile southeast of Norris. Here he owns 1,280 acres, which is one of Henry 
County's most valuable farms. It is one of the best improved and best places to be 
found in Henry County. The residence, which is an unusually attractive home, is 
located on the Clinton and Holden highway. There are two sets of buildings on the 
Gray farm, one of which is occupied by Mr. Gray's son. Mr. Gray and his son are not 
only extensively interested in general farming and grain raising, but have 
established a reputation as being among the leading stock breeders of the county, 
and on their place may be found some of the highest type of cattle and hogs. They 
are breeders of white face cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and their registered 
stock have a high reputation among stockmen throughout this section of the 
State. Francis M. Gray was united in marriage May 29, 1889, with Miss Mary A. 
Butcher, a daughter of Alexander M. Butcher, a pioneer settler of Big Creek 
township and a personal sketch of whom appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Gray have been born two children: Cecil E., born February 21, 1894, educated in 
the Norris High School, Missouri University, married Mary J. Stansberry, a 
daughter of W. A. and Sarah E. Stansberry of Big Creek township, and is now in 
partnership with his father in operating the home place. Harry P., the youngest 
son, was born March 27, 1897. He was educated in the Norris High School, Central 
College at Fayette, Missouri, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the 
University of Missouri in June, 1918. He enlisted in the United States Navy July 
1, 1918, and is in training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Mr. Gray has 
always taken an interest in public affairs and has been especially a strong 
supporter of public schools and to him and W. S. Ward, T. M. Swindell and W. S. 
Swart belong the credit of promoting the local high school, which later developed 
into the Consolidated High School District No.1 of Henry County, which was the 
first consolidated high school district in the state of Missouri. Mr. Gray is a 
Henry County citizen of real worth and his push and public spiritedness has not 
only rewarded himself but is of inestimable value to his community and county. 
The co-operation of such men as Francis M. Gray makes it possible to build 
democratic empires. 

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GRAY, J. W. - b: 1845 Tebo Twp, Henry Co, MO
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 641
residence: Tebo Twp

Dr. J. W. Gray, physician and surgeon at Calhoun, was born in Tebo Township, 
Henry County, Missouri, January 9, 1845. His father is W. A. Gray, a Baptist 
minister and a native of Kentucky, and his mother's maiden name was Mary 
Lofftus, also a Kentuckian by birth. J. W. was the fourth child in a family of 
twelve children. He was reared as a farmer, obtaining an education in the common 
schools and when seventeen years old he accepted a situation as clerk in a store 
at Windsor, which position he held till 1865. Going to St. Louis he studied 
dentistry for one year and afterwards returned to Windsor where he practiced 
dentistry and prosecuted the study of medicine. In 1870 he attended medical 
lectures at St. Louis one term then came again to Windsor and practiced both 
dentistry and medicine till 1876. In the same year he was graduated from the 
Keokuk Medical College, of Keokuk, Iowa, since which time he has followed his 
profession at Calhoun. He is a member of the Baptist Church and also belongs to 
the Masonic fraternity. May 1, 1876, Dr. Gray was married to Miss Ada Munn, of 
Illinois.

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GRAY, Joseph W. - b: 1871 Windsor, MO
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 565
residence: Henry Co

Joseph W. Gray - The Gray family in Henry County is one of the oldest and most 
distinguished in this section of the State, and was founded here in 1836 when the 
grandparents of Joseph W. Gray came to Henry County and entered the land where 
the old Gray homestead is now located and which the subject of this sketch is 
now cultivating. This old family has also contributed a descendant to the service 
of the Nation in the great World War, a son of Joseph W. Gray having been the 
first private soldier from Henry County to die at Camp Doniphan. Joseph W. Gray 
was born at Windsor, Missouri, October 15, 1871, the son of Dr. J. W. and Clara E. 
(Head) Gray, who were parents of six children, as follow: Effie E. Cecil, 
Springfield township; Dr. Alfred A., a practicing physician, Calhoun, Missouri; 
Joseph W., of this review; Charles V., Hollister, Missouri; Harry P., a veterinarian 
at Chilhowee, Missouri; Mrs. Clara Bennett, Long Beach, California. Dr. J. W. Gray 
was born in Henry County February 20, 1840, the son of Rev. W. A. and Mary 
(Loftis) Gray, both of whom were born in Kentucky. Rev. W. A. Gray first came to 
Missouri in 1835 and taught school. In 1836 Rev. W. A. Gray removed with his 
family to Henry County and entered land in sections 14, 15, 22 and 23, 
Springfield township. He followed farming during the remainder of his life while 
preaching as a minister of the Baptist Church. Nine children were born to Rev. W. 
A. and Mary Gray, of whom Dr. J. W. Gray was the eldest. Doctor Gray was 
educated in the St. Louis College of Medicine and began the practice of his 
profession in 1863 near Lincoln, Benton County, Missouri. He located in Windsor 
in 1865 and practiced in this city for a period of twelve years. He then, in 1876, 
came to the Gray homestead and practiced his profession while looking after his 
farming interests, retiring from active practice in 1913. He made his home on 
the old homestead until his death on June 17, 1918. Mrs. Clara Gray was born 
March 22, 1845, in Benton County, Missouri, the daughter of Dr. Alfred and Rhoda 
(Vincent) Head, natives of Virginia. Doctor Head was practicing his profession in 
Benton County during the Civil War. Joseph W. Gray received his education in the 
district school and the Clinton Academy, taught by Professor Lamkin. He began 
for himself in 1891 and was engaged in farming until 1901. He then went to 
Montana and spent a year there, after which he purchased a general store at 
Roseland, Missouri. He conducted this store until 1906 and then sold out. He 
clerked in the Red Front Dry Goods Store at Clinton until 1907 and was then 
engaged as traveling salesman with the George W. Perry Rubber Company until 
1909. Since 1909 he has been engaged in tilling the home farm of 240 acres. Mr. 
Gray was married October 26, 1893, to Miss Ruth A. Phelps, who was born August 
1, 1875, in Henry County, Missouri, the daughter of David and Louise (Moore) 
Phelps, natives of near Belleville, Illinois. The Phelps family came to Johnson 
County in 1872 and came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1874, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Phelps now reside in Calhoun. Seven children have been born to Joseph W. and 
Ruth A. Gray, as follow: Guy P., born May 19, 1895, and departed this life at Camp 
Doniphan, Oklahoma, November 30, 1917, while an enlisted soldier in the service 
of the National Army, his life being the first to be given by Henry County in 
defense of the freedom of the world - he died a soldier; Ruth, born January 20, 
1900, and died January 28, 1900; Joseph, born April 9, 1902; Eugene, born April 
14, 1904; Mary L., born November 17, 1905; Wilma, born March 4, 1909, died May 
16, 1918; Clara B., born August 29, 1910. Mr. Gray is a Democrat and has long 
been prominent in the affairs of his party in Henry County. In 1912 he was 
elected to the office of township tax collector and served for two years. In 1915 
he was elected township assessor, an office which he is now capably filling. He 
is a stockholder of the Farmers Cooperative Company and is keenly interested in 
all worthy civic movements. Mr. Gray is a Mason, his father before him having 
been a charter member of the Windsor Masonic Lodge. lie is affiliated with the 
Modern Woodmen of America. He and Mrs. Gray are members of the Baptist Church.

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GRAY, Webster W. - b: 1853 Henry Co, MO
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 702
residence: Big Creek Twp

Webster W. Gray, farmer and breeder of Hereford cattle, is a native of Henry 
County, Missouri, and was born July 9, 1853. His father, John L. Gray, who was 
born in Tennessee, came to Missouri when a young man and was one of the pioneer 
settlers of this county, here entering a tract of nearly 3,000 acres of land and 
improving a farm in Big Creek Township. He was married here to Catherine E. 
Ross, of Kentucky, but also among the first settlers of the county. W. W. Gray 
passed his younger days on a farm and in attending the common schools. He 
received a good education at Central College, where he spent four years, nearly 
finishing the mathematical course. He was married February 7, 1877, to Miss 
Mattie E. Mclntire, also of Henry County, where she was reared and educated, and 
a daughter of D. C. and Agnes Mclntire. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have three children: 
Jessie Lee, Nellie Temple, and baby. They have lost one child, in infancy. After his 
marriage Mr. G. located on his farm, and has since been engaged in farming. He has 
680 acres of good land, with 600 acres fenced and in cultivation, and two 
orchards of 250 trees, consisting of apple, peach, cherry and other fruits. He is 
extensively engaged in feeding cattle for the market, and has a patent burr for 
grinding feed for his stock, which is operated by wind power. This also operates 
a large corn sheller and a cutting box. He is now making a specialty of breeding 
for the market thoroughbred and half-blood Hereford cattle and has some fine 
animals. His herd is headed by Nobleman 6th, a fine male animal, two years old, 
with Lady Lorn, 2d. Mr. Gray is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. 
His wife is connected with the M. E. Church South.

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GRAY, William A. - b: 1815 Christian Co, KY
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 813
residence: Springfield Twp

Rev. William A. Gray was born October 16, 1815, in Christian County, Kentucky. 
His father, Joseph Gray, was born in 1777 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and was 
a farmer by occupation. He emigrated near the year 1800 to Kentucky and settled 
in Christian County, where he remained until 1839. William's mother, formerly 
Matilda Scrieggs, was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, about 1782. They 
were married in 1800 in Christian County, Kentucky, and had five children. 
William A. Gray was the youngest of this family. he spent his early life in his 
native state, receiving a limited education, and in the fall of 1836 left home and 
went on a prospecting tour to the present Henry County, where he remained 
nearly two years. Returning to his native state, he passed one year there, making 
the final preparations for a future and permanent home in Missouri. He was 
married November 18, 1838, to Miss Mary Lofftus, of Christian County, Kentucky. 
By this union there were thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters. In the 
year of 1839 he entered a tract of 160 acres of land, his parents also becoming 
residents of the county about the same time. Mr. Gray commenced school teaching 
in 1836, previous to his coming here, and followed the calling for about fifteen 
years. His first school in Missouri was taught in Tebo Township. In June of 1843 
he became identified with the Baptist Church of Clear Creek, Benton County, and 
from a sense of duty soon turned his attention to the ministry, and, being 
encouraged by the church, proceeded to the work of preparation and began the 
study of theology, though under the most adverse circumstances, as he was 
compelled to go through the process of self-education in the then new country of 
his adoption. He was licensed in November, 1843, and was ordained in January, 
1844, by Revs. J. T. Ricketts and W. P. Caldwell, and he commenced his life work 
immediately. His first text was: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's 
good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The citizens of Henry, Benton, Pettis, 
Johnson, St. Clair, Bates and Vernon Counties have long known Pastor Gray, many 
of whom have sat under and listened with pleasure and satisfaction to his 
preaching. Mrs. Gray died August 1, 1860, leaving twelve children. Mr. Gray was 
married again November 19, 1860, to Mary A. Bibb, of Benton County. There were 
five children born to them. Though having devoted much of his time to the 
ministry, with but little pecuniary compensation, he has been greatly prosperous. 
His house was demolished April 7, 1842, by a cyclone, leaving no article of 
furniture nor vestige of household goods. A little child was snatched from its 
cradle only in time to save it from certain death, as the cradle was instantly 
filled with the debris of the falling house. Mr. Gray, in his attempt to reach the 
residence, was struck with a piece of flying timber, and fell crushed and 
bleeding, and his narrow escape is shown by the scar upon his head to this day. 
The neighbors restored his house, and he looks back with grateful remembrance 
to the kindness shown him and his family. He preached unmolested during the 
period of the war, and though men sought to intimidate, he fearlessly proclaimed 
the gospel to those who chose to listen. He has perhaps preached over 5,000 
sermons, besides performing extra duties in the community, which have been 
frequent. His second wife died June 10, 1875. On November 20, 1877, he married 
Martha M. Fewell, of Benton County, but originally from North Carolina. He has, 
without doubt, baptized more than a thousand candidates, and could give us no 
idea of the number of marriage rites performed during his long ministry. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. J. W. Gray, son of Rev. Wm. A. Gray, was 
born February 20, 1840, in Springfield Township, Henry County, Missouri. During 
the years of 1856, '57 and '58, he attended the college at Calhoun, Henry County, 
conducted by the Tebo Baptist Association. On leaving the school, he commenced 
the study of medicine at Calhoun, Dr. Robert Hogan of that place being his 
preceptor. He continued his studies during the years of 1859 and '60, and was 
interrupted in 1861 by the opening of the war. He suspended study for several 
months, giving his attention to the management of the farm at home. In 
November, 1861, he resumed his studies with Dr. Alfred Head, of Benton County, 
and passed nearly two years under that preceptor. He attended medical lectures 
at St. Louis, Missouri. In the spring of 1864, he commenced the practice of his 
profession at Windsor, in Henry County. He was married in September, 1864, to 
Miss Clara Elizabeth Head, of Millersburg, Callaway County, and a daughter of Dr. 
Alfred Head. They have six children. Dr. Gray continued his practice at Windsor 
for twelve years, when he removed to Springfield Township, this county, buying 
235 acres of the old homestead, located on section 15. Besides attending to a 
large practice, he has charge of his farm, and is also engaged in general stock 
raising. He is a member of the Masonic order, and politically he is a Democrat.

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GRAY, William H. - b: 1844 Accomack Co, VA
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 581
residence: Windsor Twp

William H. Gray, section 13, was born in Accomack County, Virginia, April 7, 
1844. In 1870 he came to Missouri and settled in Windsor, bought a farm, 
subsequently sold it, and has been trading land more or less ever since. He was a 
soldier in the Confederate army through the war under Stonewall Jackson, and 
once received a severe wound. Mr. Gray was married in Illinois in 1865, to Miss 
Frances M. Ingraham. They have one child, Willie Gray, eleven years old, October 
20. Mr. Gray is a brick mason by trade, and also a brick manufacturer. He burned 
the first kiln of brick in the town, and has since manufactured many of the brick 
used here. He has a fine coal bed on his farm, which when worked promises to be 
of value.

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