Son of John Henry and Isabella (Rook) Gray.
Father of:
Otto Clarence Gray (1876- )
Owen Bruce Gray (1879- )
Pearl Elda Gray (1882- )
Roy Edward Gray (1884- )
Goldie Stover (adopted daughter)
Henry and Rebecca came to Crook County in 1876 and opened a blacksmith shop. Later he bought land and in 1899 bought a large ranch (Bonnyview) 24 miles east of Prineville, where he devoted time to farming and stockraising.
After Henry retired from farming, they moved to Prineville and he held a number of public offices. He was twice elected Sheriff of Crook County, served one term as County Assessor, and then was elected County Treasurer, an office which he held for several years.
He was active in educational affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Prineville Academy, a school which afforded a means of higher education for the young people in Prineville. He was elected Trustee of this institution. Quoting from a 1925 article from the local newspaper: "Henry Gray probably had more to do with the establishment of Prineville's school system than any man in Crook County."
Henry and Rebecca celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1925.
Henry died of cancer in 1928 at the age of 73. All offices of the courthouse were closed, and county officers attended his funeral services. All business houses were closed and public schools were dismissed, the pupils attending in a large group. No greater homage could have been given in the memory of Henry Gray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905:
J. H. GRAY, one of the leading and representative men of Crook county, devotes his attention to farming and stock raising. He resides twenty-four miles east from Prineville on the Burns stage road and has an estate there of nearly two thousand acres. When he first acquired the place, it was very much run down but by his thrift and wisdom, he has made it one of the richest ranches in Crook county. He handles a great many horses and cattle of the finest strains. He also breeds Poland China hogs. Among cattle, he pays the most attention to the Hereford stock and his thoroughbreds are among the finest to be found in this part of the state. Altogether, he is a very successful and wealthy stockman.
Among the ancestors and relatives of Mr. Gray, we will give a brief mention of the following. His great-great-grandfather, Mr. Jackson of Ireland, married Miss Horner, also a native of Ireland and to them was born Martha Jackson. James Gray married Martha Jackson in Ireland. He was born in 1725 and died in Kentucky. To this marriage were born the following named children : Nizzle, on September 3, 1745, who died in Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1767 ; Mary, on February 19, 1747, married David Cowan of Bourbon, Kentucky ; Rachel, February 28, 1749, married Mr. Cowan in Pennsylvania ; George, May 10, 1751, and died September 21, 1775, the date he was to be married : Gennett, August 20, 1753, died July 30, 1767; James, June 11, 1755, married Mary Caldwell in Pennsylvania and died at Bourbon, Kentucky; Elizabeth, November 5, 1757, married Joseph McEnulta and died at Nicholas, Kentucky, in T804; Sarah, May 24, 1760 and married David McKinley ; William, on November 8, 1762, and married Miss Mary, last name lost; David, on January 18, 1767, married Nancy Mooney, in Kentucky, in 1792. Martha (Jackson) Gray, the mother of these above mentioned, was a cousin of General Jackson and lived to be one hundred and five years of age, her death occurring in Kentucky. To David Gray and Nancy (Mooney) Gray were born the following named children : Nancy Gray, on April 21, 1793; James, on January 27, 1797; Martha, on March 26, 1799; John, on December 19, 1802; William, on February 7, 1805 ; David, October 23, 1807; and Jane, in 1813. The first two of these seven children were born in Bourbon, Kentucky. The other five were born in Nicholas, Kentucky. Their father, David Gray, died in Preble county, Ohio, on November 23, 1840. His father died in Preble county Ohio, on November 25, 1837. Of the seven children of David and Nancy (Mooney) Gray, we have record of the death of six : Nancy Gray died in Crawfordsville, Linn county, Oregon when ninety-four years of age ; Martha, died in Preble county, Ohio, December 14, 1845, John, who is the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, died in Portland, Oregon in February, 1879 — it is supposed that he was drugged and put out ot a hotel at night ; he was found on the street insensible and died a few hours after being taken to the hospital ; William died in Preble county, Ohio, where he lived on the old home place of his parents from the time they came there from Kentucky until his death ; David died at Albany. Oregon, and was buried on his donation claim beside his wife, Elizabeth, who had died many years previously, near Halsey, Oregon ; Jane died in Nicholas, Kentucky in 1813, aged twenty-one years. Nancy (Mooney) Gray, the mother of these children named, is the grandmother of J. H. Gray, the subject of this sketch. Her father was Patrick Mooney and would be the great-grandfather of J. H. Gray. This venerable patriarch was born in 1681 and died December 14, 1799, being one hundred and eighteen years of age. He married Jane Beard of Ireland and to them were born in Virginia, United States, on March 1, 1768, Nancy Mooney. After the death of his first wife Patrick Mooney married a second time. This wedding occurred when he was one hundred years of age and his bride was eighteen years of age. They lived together eighteen years before his death. Patrick Mooney was a well educated and prominent man. He was born in the north of Ireland but came of Scotch ancestry. One time during his life, while on a pleasure voyage their ship was wrecked. He and two others were attacked by pirates and sold as slaves on the island. Later thev succeeded in; making their escape and came to America. The Gray family is related to the families of Presidents McKinley and Jackson.
J. H. Gray, who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Linn county, Oregon, on April 23, 1855, the son of John and Isabel (Rook) Gray, natives of Kentucky and Scotland, respectively. The father came with his parents to Ohio when a boy, crossed the plains in 1852 with ox teams and located on a donation claim in Linn county, Oregon, and became a very prominent and well-to-do man. We have already mentioned concerning his death. His wife came to the United States when a young lady and accompanied him across the plains after their marriage. Our subject was educated in Linn county and there grew up and engaged in farming. In 1876, he came to Crook county and wrought for wages, for two years, then went into a blacksmith shop at Prineville, completing the trade there. Later he bought land and also took government land Finally he sold his property and in 1899, bought the estate where he is now located.
In 1875, Mr. Gray married Rebecca Hunsaker who was born in the Willamette vallev and came to Crook county in early days. The children born to this union are O. C, a merchant at Prineville, and treasurer of Crook county ; Bruce, also in the mercantile business in Prineville ; Pearl, the wife of Mr. Rowell, a rancher in Crook county ; and Roy, farming with his father. In 1896, Mr. Gray was appointed by Governor Lord a member of the state board of agriculture but owing to the fact that he had just been elected sheriff of Crook county, he was unable to accept. Fie filled that important office for two terms and county assessor one term, and was a very excellent official.
Mr. Gray is a member of the I. O. O. F., a prominent man and one of the leading citizens of central Oregon.
Father of:
Otto Clarence Gray (1876- )
Owen Bruce Gray (1879- )
Pearl Elda Gray (1882- )
Roy Edward Gray (1884- )
Goldie Stover (adopted daughter)
Henry and Rebecca came to Crook County in 1876 and opened a blacksmith shop. Later he bought land and in 1899 bought a large ranch (Bonnyview) 24 miles east of Prineville, where he devoted time to farming and stockraising.
After Henry retired from farming, they moved to Prineville and he held a number of public offices. He was twice elected Sheriff of Crook County, served one term as County Assessor, and then was elected County Treasurer, an office which he held for several years.
He was active in educational affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Prineville Academy, a school which afforded a means of higher education for the young people in Prineville. He was elected Trustee of this institution. Quoting from a 1925 article from the local newspaper: "Henry Gray probably had more to do with the establishment of Prineville's school system than any man in Crook County."
Henry and Rebecca celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1925.
Henry died of cancer in 1928 at the age of 73. All offices of the courthouse were closed, and county officers attended his funeral services. All business houses were closed and public schools were dismissed, the pupils attending in a large group. No greater homage could have been given in the memory of Henry Gray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905:
J. H. GRAY, one of the leading and representative men of Crook county, devotes his attention to farming and stock raising. He resides twenty-four miles east from Prineville on the Burns stage road and has an estate there of nearly two thousand acres. When he first acquired the place, it was very much run down but by his thrift and wisdom, he has made it one of the richest ranches in Crook county. He handles a great many horses and cattle of the finest strains. He also breeds Poland China hogs. Among cattle, he pays the most attention to the Hereford stock and his thoroughbreds are among the finest to be found in this part of the state. Altogether, he is a very successful and wealthy stockman.
Among the ancestors and relatives of Mr. Gray, we will give a brief mention of the following. His great-great-grandfather, Mr. Jackson of Ireland, married Miss Horner, also a native of Ireland and to them was born Martha Jackson. James Gray married Martha Jackson in Ireland. He was born in 1725 and died in Kentucky. To this marriage were born the following named children : Nizzle, on September 3, 1745, who died in Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1767 ; Mary, on February 19, 1747, married David Cowan of Bourbon, Kentucky ; Rachel, February 28, 1749, married Mr. Cowan in Pennsylvania ; George, May 10, 1751, and died September 21, 1775, the date he was to be married : Gennett, August 20, 1753, died July 30, 1767; James, June 11, 1755, married Mary Caldwell in Pennsylvania and died at Bourbon, Kentucky; Elizabeth, November 5, 1757, married Joseph McEnulta and died at Nicholas, Kentucky, in T804; Sarah, May 24, 1760 and married David McKinley ; William, on November 8, 1762, and married Miss Mary, last name lost; David, on January 18, 1767, married Nancy Mooney, in Kentucky, in 1792. Martha (Jackson) Gray, the mother of these above mentioned, was a cousin of General Jackson and lived to be one hundred and five years of age, her death occurring in Kentucky. To David Gray and Nancy (Mooney) Gray were born the following named children : Nancy Gray, on April 21, 1793; James, on January 27, 1797; Martha, on March 26, 1799; John, on December 19, 1802; William, on February 7, 1805 ; David, October 23, 1807; and Jane, in 1813. The first two of these seven children were born in Bourbon, Kentucky. The other five were born in Nicholas, Kentucky. Their father, David Gray, died in Preble county, Ohio, on November 23, 1840. His father died in Preble county Ohio, on November 25, 1837. Of the seven children of David and Nancy (Mooney) Gray, we have record of the death of six : Nancy Gray died in Crawfordsville, Linn county, Oregon when ninety-four years of age ; Martha, died in Preble county, Ohio, December 14, 1845, John, who is the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, died in Portland, Oregon in February, 1879 — it is supposed that he was drugged and put out ot a hotel at night ; he was found on the street insensible and died a few hours after being taken to the hospital ; William died in Preble county, Ohio, where he lived on the old home place of his parents from the time they came there from Kentucky until his death ; David died at Albany. Oregon, and was buried on his donation claim beside his wife, Elizabeth, who had died many years previously, near Halsey, Oregon ; Jane died in Nicholas, Kentucky in 1813, aged twenty-one years. Nancy (Mooney) Gray, the mother of these children named, is the grandmother of J. H. Gray, the subject of this sketch. Her father was Patrick Mooney and would be the great-grandfather of J. H. Gray. This venerable patriarch was born in 1681 and died December 14, 1799, being one hundred and eighteen years of age. He married Jane Beard of Ireland and to them were born in Virginia, United States, on March 1, 1768, Nancy Mooney. After the death of his first wife Patrick Mooney married a second time. This wedding occurred when he was one hundred years of age and his bride was eighteen years of age. They lived together eighteen years before his death. Patrick Mooney was a well educated and prominent man. He was born in the north of Ireland but came of Scotch ancestry. One time during his life, while on a pleasure voyage their ship was wrecked. He and two others were attacked by pirates and sold as slaves on the island. Later thev succeeded in; making their escape and came to America. The Gray family is related to the families of Presidents McKinley and Jackson.
J. H. Gray, who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Linn county, Oregon, on April 23, 1855, the son of John and Isabel (Rook) Gray, natives of Kentucky and Scotland, respectively. The father came with his parents to Ohio when a boy, crossed the plains in 1852 with ox teams and located on a donation claim in Linn county, Oregon, and became a very prominent and well-to-do man. We have already mentioned concerning his death. His wife came to the United States when a young lady and accompanied him across the plains after their marriage. Our subject was educated in Linn county and there grew up and engaged in farming. In 1876, he came to Crook county and wrought for wages, for two years, then went into a blacksmith shop at Prineville, completing the trade there. Later he bought land and also took government land Finally he sold his property and in 1899, bought the estate where he is now located.
In 1875, Mr. Gray married Rebecca Hunsaker who was born in the Willamette vallev and came to Crook county in early days. The children born to this union are O. C, a merchant at Prineville, and treasurer of Crook county ; Bruce, also in the mercantile business in Prineville ; Pearl, the wife of Mr. Rowell, a rancher in Crook county ; and Roy, farming with his father. In 1896, Mr. Gray was appointed by Governor Lord a member of the state board of agriculture but owing to the fact that he had just been elected sheriff of Crook county, he was unable to accept. Fie filled that important office for two terms and county assessor one term, and was a very excellent official.
Mr. Gray is a member of the I. O. O. F., a prominent man and one of the leading citizens of central Oregon.
Son of John Henry and Isabella (Rook) Gray.
Father of:
Otto Clarence Gray (1876- )
Owen Bruce Gray (1879- )
Pearl Elda Gray (1882- )
Roy Edward Gray (1884- )
Goldie Stover (adopted daughter)
Henry and Rebecca came to Crook County in 1876 and opened a blacksmith shop. Later he bought land and in 1899 bought a large ranch (Bonnyview) 24 miles east of Prineville, where he devoted time to farming and stockraising.
After Henry retired from farming, they moved to Prineville and he held a number of public offices. He was twice elected Sheriff of Crook County, served one term as County Assessor, and then was elected County Treasurer, an office which he held for several years.
He was active in educational affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Prineville Academy, a school which afforded a means of higher education for the young people in Prineville. He was elected Trustee of this institution. Quoting from a 1925 article from the local newspaper: "Henry Gray probably had more to do with the establishment of Prineville's school system than any man in Crook County."
Henry and Rebecca celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1925.
Henry died of cancer in 1928 at the age of 73. All offices of the courthouse were closed, and county officers attended his funeral services. All business houses were closed and public schools were dismissed, the pupils attending in a large group. No greater homage could have been given in the memory of Henry Gray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905:
J. H. GRAY, one of the leading and representative men of Crook county, devotes his attention to farming and stock raising. He resides twenty-four miles east from Prineville on the Burns stage road and has an estate there of nearly two thousand acres. When he first acquired the place, it was very much run down but by his thrift and wisdom, he has made it one of the richest ranches in Crook county. He handles a great many horses and cattle of the finest strains. He also breeds Poland China hogs. Among cattle, he pays the most attention to the Hereford stock and his thoroughbreds are among the finest to be found in this part of the state. Altogether, he is a very successful and wealthy stockman.
Among the ancestors and relatives of Mr. Gray, we will give a brief mention of the following. His great-great-grandfather, Mr. Jackson of Ireland, married Miss Horner, also a native of Ireland and to them was born Martha Jackson. James Gray married Martha Jackson in Ireland. He was born in 1725 and died in Kentucky. To this marriage were born the following named children : Nizzle, on September 3, 1745, who died in Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1767 ; Mary, on February 19, 1747, married David Cowan of Bourbon, Kentucky ; Rachel, February 28, 1749, married Mr. Cowan in Pennsylvania ; George, May 10, 1751, and died September 21, 1775, the date he was to be married : Gennett, August 20, 1753, died July 30, 1767; James, June 11, 1755, married Mary Caldwell in Pennsylvania and died at Bourbon, Kentucky; Elizabeth, November 5, 1757, married Joseph McEnulta and died at Nicholas, Kentucky, in T804; Sarah, May 24, 1760 and married David McKinley ; William, on November 8, 1762, and married Miss Mary, last name lost; David, on January 18, 1767, married Nancy Mooney, in Kentucky, in 1792. Martha (Jackson) Gray, the mother of these above mentioned, was a cousin of General Jackson and lived to be one hundred and five years of age, her death occurring in Kentucky. To David Gray and Nancy (Mooney) Gray were born the following named children : Nancy Gray, on April 21, 1793; James, on January 27, 1797; Martha, on March 26, 1799; John, on December 19, 1802; William, on February 7, 1805 ; David, October 23, 1807; and Jane, in 1813. The first two of these seven children were born in Bourbon, Kentucky. The other five were born in Nicholas, Kentucky. Their father, David Gray, died in Preble county, Ohio, on November 23, 1840. His father died in Preble county Ohio, on November 25, 1837. Of the seven children of David and Nancy (Mooney) Gray, we have record of the death of six : Nancy Gray died in Crawfordsville, Linn county, Oregon when ninety-four years of age ; Martha, died in Preble county, Ohio, December 14, 1845, John, who is the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, died in Portland, Oregon in February, 1879 — it is supposed that he was drugged and put out ot a hotel at night ; he was found on the street insensible and died a few hours after being taken to the hospital ; William died in Preble county, Ohio, where he lived on the old home place of his parents from the time they came there from Kentucky until his death ; David died at Albany. Oregon, and was buried on his donation claim beside his wife, Elizabeth, who had died many years previously, near Halsey, Oregon ; Jane died in Nicholas, Kentucky in 1813, aged twenty-one years. Nancy (Mooney) Gray, the mother of these children named, is the grandmother of J. H. Gray, the subject of this sketch. Her father was Patrick Mooney and would be the great-grandfather of J. H. Gray. This venerable patriarch was born in 1681 and died December 14, 1799, being one hundred and eighteen years of age. He married Jane Beard of Ireland and to them were born in Virginia, United States, on March 1, 1768, Nancy Mooney. After the death of his first wife Patrick Mooney married a second time. This wedding occurred when he was one hundred years of age and his bride was eighteen years of age. They lived together eighteen years before his death. Patrick Mooney was a well educated and prominent man. He was born in the north of Ireland but came of Scotch ancestry. One time during his life, while on a pleasure voyage their ship was wrecked. He and two others were attacked by pirates and sold as slaves on the island. Later thev succeeded in; making their escape and came to America. The Gray family is related to the families of Presidents McKinley and Jackson.
J. H. Gray, who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Linn county, Oregon, on April 23, 1855, the son of John and Isabel (Rook) Gray, natives of Kentucky and Scotland, respectively. The father came with his parents to Ohio when a boy, crossed the plains in 1852 with ox teams and located on a donation claim in Linn county, Oregon, and became a very prominent and well-to-do man. We have already mentioned concerning his death. His wife came to the United States when a young lady and accompanied him across the plains after their marriage. Our subject was educated in Linn county and there grew up and engaged in farming. In 1876, he came to Crook county and wrought for wages, for two years, then went into a blacksmith shop at Prineville, completing the trade there. Later he bought land and also took government land Finally he sold his property and in 1899, bought the estate where he is now located.
In 1875, Mr. Gray married Rebecca Hunsaker who was born in the Willamette vallev and came to Crook county in early days. The children born to this union are O. C, a merchant at Prineville, and treasurer of Crook county ; Bruce, also in the mercantile business in Prineville ; Pearl, the wife of Mr. Rowell, a rancher in Crook county ; and Roy, farming with his father. In 1896, Mr. Gray was appointed by Governor Lord a member of the state board of agriculture but owing to the fact that he had just been elected sheriff of Crook county, he was unable to accept. Fie filled that important office for two terms and county assessor one term, and was a very excellent official.
Mr. Gray is a member of the I. O. O. F., a prominent man and one of the leading citizens of central Oregon.
Father of:
Otto Clarence Gray (1876- )
Owen Bruce Gray (1879- )
Pearl Elda Gray (1882- )
Roy Edward Gray (1884- )
Goldie Stover (adopted daughter)
Henry and Rebecca came to Crook County in 1876 and opened a blacksmith shop. Later he bought land and in 1899 bought a large ranch (Bonnyview) 24 miles east of Prineville, where he devoted time to farming and stockraising.
After Henry retired from farming, they moved to Prineville and he held a number of public offices. He was twice elected Sheriff of Crook County, served one term as County Assessor, and then was elected County Treasurer, an office which he held for several years.
He was active in educational affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Prineville Academy, a school which afforded a means of higher education for the young people in Prineville. He was elected Trustee of this institution. Quoting from a 1925 article from the local newspaper: "Henry Gray probably had more to do with the establishment of Prineville's school system than any man in Crook County."
Henry and Rebecca celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1925.
Henry died of cancer in 1928 at the age of 73. All offices of the courthouse were closed, and county officers attended his funeral services. All business houses were closed and public schools were dismissed, the pupils attending in a large group. No greater homage could have been given in the memory of Henry Gray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905:
J. H. GRAY, one of the leading and representative men of Crook county, devotes his attention to farming and stock raising. He resides twenty-four miles east from Prineville on the Burns stage road and has an estate there of nearly two thousand acres. When he first acquired the place, it was very much run down but by his thrift and wisdom, he has made it one of the richest ranches in Crook county. He handles a great many horses and cattle of the finest strains. He also breeds Poland China hogs. Among cattle, he pays the most attention to the Hereford stock and his thoroughbreds are among the finest to be found in this part of the state. Altogether, he is a very successful and wealthy stockman.
Among the ancestors and relatives of Mr. Gray, we will give a brief mention of the following. His great-great-grandfather, Mr. Jackson of Ireland, married Miss Horner, also a native of Ireland and to them was born Martha Jackson. James Gray married Martha Jackson in Ireland. He was born in 1725 and died in Kentucky. To this marriage were born the following named children : Nizzle, on September 3, 1745, who died in Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1767 ; Mary, on February 19, 1747, married David Cowan of Bourbon, Kentucky ; Rachel, February 28, 1749, married Mr. Cowan in Pennsylvania ; George, May 10, 1751, and died September 21, 1775, the date he was to be married : Gennett, August 20, 1753, died July 30, 1767; James, June 11, 1755, married Mary Caldwell in Pennsylvania and died at Bourbon, Kentucky; Elizabeth, November 5, 1757, married Joseph McEnulta and died at Nicholas, Kentucky, in T804; Sarah, May 24, 1760 and married David McKinley ; William, on November 8, 1762, and married Miss Mary, last name lost; David, on January 18, 1767, married Nancy Mooney, in Kentucky, in 1792. Martha (Jackson) Gray, the mother of these above mentioned, was a cousin of General Jackson and lived to be one hundred and five years of age, her death occurring in Kentucky. To David Gray and Nancy (Mooney) Gray were born the following named children : Nancy Gray, on April 21, 1793; James, on January 27, 1797; Martha, on March 26, 1799; John, on December 19, 1802; William, on February 7, 1805 ; David, October 23, 1807; and Jane, in 1813. The first two of these seven children were born in Bourbon, Kentucky. The other five were born in Nicholas, Kentucky. Their father, David Gray, died in Preble county, Ohio, on November 23, 1840. His father died in Preble county Ohio, on November 25, 1837. Of the seven children of David and Nancy (Mooney) Gray, we have record of the death of six : Nancy Gray died in Crawfordsville, Linn county, Oregon when ninety-four years of age ; Martha, died in Preble county, Ohio, December 14, 1845, John, who is the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, died in Portland, Oregon in February, 1879 — it is supposed that he was drugged and put out ot a hotel at night ; he was found on the street insensible and died a few hours after being taken to the hospital ; William died in Preble county, Ohio, where he lived on the old home place of his parents from the time they came there from Kentucky until his death ; David died at Albany. Oregon, and was buried on his donation claim beside his wife, Elizabeth, who had died many years previously, near Halsey, Oregon ; Jane died in Nicholas, Kentucky in 1813, aged twenty-one years. Nancy (Mooney) Gray, the mother of these children named, is the grandmother of J. H. Gray, the subject of this sketch. Her father was Patrick Mooney and would be the great-grandfather of J. H. Gray. This venerable patriarch was born in 1681 and died December 14, 1799, being one hundred and eighteen years of age. He married Jane Beard of Ireland and to them were born in Virginia, United States, on March 1, 1768, Nancy Mooney. After the death of his first wife Patrick Mooney married a second time. This wedding occurred when he was one hundred years of age and his bride was eighteen years of age. They lived together eighteen years before his death. Patrick Mooney was a well educated and prominent man. He was born in the north of Ireland but came of Scotch ancestry. One time during his life, while on a pleasure voyage their ship was wrecked. He and two others were attacked by pirates and sold as slaves on the island. Later thev succeeded in; making their escape and came to America. The Gray family is related to the families of Presidents McKinley and Jackson.
J. H. Gray, who is the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Linn county, Oregon, on April 23, 1855, the son of John and Isabel (Rook) Gray, natives of Kentucky and Scotland, respectively. The father came with his parents to Ohio when a boy, crossed the plains in 1852 with ox teams and located on a donation claim in Linn county, Oregon, and became a very prominent and well-to-do man. We have already mentioned concerning his death. His wife came to the United States when a young lady and accompanied him across the plains after their marriage. Our subject was educated in Linn county and there grew up and engaged in farming. In 1876, he came to Crook county and wrought for wages, for two years, then went into a blacksmith shop at Prineville, completing the trade there. Later he bought land and also took government land Finally he sold his property and in 1899, bought the estate where he is now located.
In 1875, Mr. Gray married Rebecca Hunsaker who was born in the Willamette vallev and came to Crook county in early days. The children born to this union are O. C, a merchant at Prineville, and treasurer of Crook county ; Bruce, also in the mercantile business in Prineville ; Pearl, the wife of Mr. Rowell, a rancher in Crook county ; and Roy, farming with his father. In 1896, Mr. Gray was appointed by Governor Lord a member of the state board of agriculture but owing to the fact that he had just been elected sheriff of Crook county, he was unable to accept. Fie filled that important office for two terms and county assessor one term, and was a very excellent official.
Mr. Gray is a member of the I. O. O. F., a prominent man and one of the leading citizens of central Oregon.
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