Claude C. Gray Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1212-1215 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				CLAUDE C. GRAY. 

	Claude C. Gray, practicing at the bar of Sturgis, where he is 
well known as an able and progressive young lawyer, was born at 
Denison, Iowa, March 14, 1885, a son of John W. and Cannie 
(Weatherholdt) Gray. The father was born in Iowa, in which state his 
people settled in 1846. The mother was also a native of that state and 
of German parentage, In early life John W. Gray became a teacher, was 
also a mechanic and engaged in farming. Subsequently he removed to the 
vicinity of St. Joseph, Missouri, having long survived his wife, who 
died during the infancy of their son Claude. 

	In the acquirement of his education Claude C. Gray attended 
school in Denver, Colorado, in Abilene, Kansas, and in Springdale, 
Iowa, Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he 
then began preparation for the profession in the Chicago Kent College 
of Law and in the law department of the State University of Iowa and 
was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1907. Long before this, however, he had 
come to know the value of industry and determination through 
experience, for when but twelve years of age he began working as a farm 
hand, being employed in the fields through the summer months, while in 
the winter seasons he attended school. He continued in that way until 
he had finished his education, after which he was employed by a law 
firm of Chicago-Pringle, Northrop & Terwilliger-for a year. He then 
left that city and in 1908 made his way to Meade county, South Dakota, 
settling on a homestead claim at White Owl. He was admitted to the bar 
of this state in October, 1908, but continued to reside upon his claim 
until elected states attorney, when he removed to Sturgis, where he has 
since made his home. He was called to that office in 1911 and served in 
that capacity for four years, or until 1915 He now gives his undivided 
attention to the private practice of law and is accorded a liberal and 
distinctively representative clientage that has connected him with much 
of the important litigation heard in the courts of the district. He has 
good property interests in the state, being the owner of four hundred 
and eighty acres of rich farm land in Meade county which he rents. 

	On the 14th of November, 1908, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Elna 
F. Leonard, who was born at Springdale, Iowa, a daughter of John and 
Ann Leonard, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to Iowa 
about 1854. In early life the father was a sailor but later turned his 
attention to farming and following his removal to the west he spent his 
remaining days in Iowa. 

	Mr. Gray belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is 
highly esteemed by his brethren of that organization. He has always 
voted with the democratic party and is a firm believer in its 
principles but has never sought office outside of the strict path of 
his profession, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his 
practice, knowing that the law is a jealous mistress and that her 
rewards are most generously bestowed where she receives the undivided 
devotion of her followers.