Hosea Wilson Gray emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1837 to Illinois. In 1838 he immigrated to Iowa. He was the first sheriff in Linn County, Iowa. He also served as a district court clerk. In 1856 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Iowa. In April 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was assigned as a Captain in Company A, 6th Iowa Infantry. Upon discharge he was promoted to Brevet Colonel. He moved to Nebraska where he was a lawyer in Sutton, Nebraska and a Royal Arch Mason.
Hosea W. Gray, senior member of the firm of J. M. Gray & Co., was born in Tioga County, Penn., April 7, 1816. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Bradford County, in the same State. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, by private tutors, and at the Athens Academy. His business life began at the early age of fourteen; when at intervals not engaged in studies, he was employed for several years as clerk in a store. At the age of nineteen years, he engaged as a teacher in Lycoming County, Penn., which occupation he followed in that county and Bradford until the year 1838, when he emigrated to the West. Spent a year in Illinois, and, finally settled at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, in the year 1839. He was elected Sheriff of that county in the fall of that year, and was re-elected for four terms in succession; in all eight years. Mr. Gray had previously read law with his father, who was a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar at Marion, Iowa, in 1847. After entering the profession, and some practice, he was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1848. Retiring from office in 1850, he purchased a stock farm of 640 acres, and gave his attention for some years to his farms. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the present constitution of Iowa. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the work of that convention, which has remained unchanged, was celebrated at the capital of the State, on the 19th of January last, by the surviving members, of whom Mr. Gray was one. In the year 1857, he was appointed one of the fiscal agents of the State to settle with the custodians of the school funds, and the same year was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings, in which capacity he served three years, and during which term the Blind Asylum at Vinton was located and erected. In 1857, Mr. Gray engaged in the mercantile business under the firm style of Peddicord, Gray & Co. Three years later the style changed to H. W. Gray & Co. In April, 1861, before any requisition had been issued, he enlisted a company, and tendered then for active service. The company of which he was Captain was mustered into service as Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry. He received a commission also as Lieutenant Colonel. After two years' service he resigned on account of severe and protracted sickness. In doing so, he received universal expressions of regret from brother officers, and an assurance of reinstatement by the Adjutant General whenever the state of his health would admit of his taking the field. This he was precluded from doing, but he rendered important services in recruiting and organizing troops for the war. At the close of the war, having disposed of his mercantile business, he retired to this farm, which he superintended during the next four years. In April, 1869, his wife, who had been an invalid for some years, died. Soon afterward he sold out, and, in 1871, came to Nebraska. In that year he entered by pre-emption 160 acres of land in Fillmore County, and with his son established themselves in the lumber trade under the firm name of J. M. Gray & Co. The business has been prosperous, and is continued under the same firm at Sutton, Clay Co., Neb. In 1872, Mr. Gray opened a law office in the same town. He has been successfully engaged in the practice to the present time, but is now retiring from the business on account of advanced age. He was married in the year 1840, in Linn County, Iowa, to Annie M. Smith. Her family were from Guilford, N. C., but she was born and raised at Indianapolis, Ind. As before stated, she died in 1869. Seven children--John M., Clinton B., Ada A., Celestia A., Eugenia M., Hosea W., Jr., and Abraham L. survive her, to cheer the declining years of their aged father. In their society, retired from the anxieties and cares of business, with a competence for necessary wants, the subject of this sketch hopes to await the sunset of life in virtuous contemplation. (Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, Clay County)
Hosea W. Gray, senior member of the firm of J. M. Gray & Co., was born in Tioga County, Penn., April 7, 1816. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Bradford County, in the same State. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, by private tutors, and at the Athens Academy. His business life began at the early age of fourteen; when at intervals not engaged in studies, he was employed for several years as clerk in a store. At the age of nineteen years, he engaged as a teacher in Lycoming County, Penn., which occupation he followed in that county and Bradford until the year 1838, when he emigrated to the West. Spent a year in Illinois, and, finally settled at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, in the year 1839. He was elected Sheriff of that county in the fall of that year, and was re-elected for four terms in succession; in all eight years. Mr. Gray had previously read law with his father, who was a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar at Marion, Iowa, in 1847. After entering the profession, and some practice, he was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1848. Retiring from office in 1850, he purchased a stock farm of 640 acres, and gave his attention for some years to his farms. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the present constitution of Iowa. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the work of that convention, which has remained unchanged, was celebrated at the capital of the State, on the 19th of January last, by the surviving members, of whom Mr. Gray was one. In the year 1857, he was appointed one of the fiscal agents of the State to settle with the custodians of the school funds, and the same year was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings, in which capacity he served three years, and during which term the Blind Asylum at Vinton was located and erected. In 1857, Mr. Gray engaged in the mercantile business under the firm style of Peddicord, Gray & Co. Three years later the style changed to H. W. Gray & Co. In April, 1861, before any requisition had been issued, he enlisted a company, and tendered then for active service. The company of which he was Captain was mustered into service as Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry. He received a commission also as Lieutenant Colonel. After two years' service he resigned on account of severe and protracted sickness. In doing so, he received universal expressions of regret from brother officers, and an assurance of reinstatement by the Adjutant General whenever the state of his health would admit of his taking the field. This he was precluded from doing, but he rendered important services in recruiting and organizing troops for the war. At the close of the war, having disposed of his mercantile business, he retired to this farm, which he superintended during the next four years. In April, 1869, his wife, who had been an invalid for some years, died. Soon afterward he sold out, and, in 1871, came to Nebraska. In that year he entered by pre-emption 160 acres of land in Fillmore County, and with his son established themselves in the lumber trade under the firm name of J. M. Gray & Co. The business has been prosperous, and is continued under the same firm at Sutton, Clay Co., Neb. In 1872, Mr. Gray opened a law office in the same town. He has been successfully engaged in the practice to the present time, but is now retiring from the business on account of advanced age. He was married in the year 1840, in Linn County, Iowa, to Annie M. Smith. Her family were from Guilford, N. C., but she was born and raised at Indianapolis, Ind. As before stated, she died in 1869. Seven children--John M., Clinton B., Ada A., Celestia A., Eugenia M., Hosea W., Jr., and Abraham L. survive her, to cheer the declining years of their aged father. In their society, retired from the anxieties and cares of business, with a competence for necessary wants, the subject of this sketch hopes to await the sunset of life in virtuous contemplation. (Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, Clay County)
Hosea Wilson Gray emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1837 to Illinois. In 1838 he immigrated to Iowa. He was the first sheriff in Linn County, Iowa. He also served as a district court clerk. In 1856 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Iowa. In April 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was assigned as a Captain in Company A, 6th Iowa Infantry. Upon discharge he was promoted to Brevet Colonel. He moved to Nebraska where he was a lawyer in Sutton, Nebraska and a Royal Arch Mason.
Hosea W. Gray, senior member of the firm of J. M. Gray & Co., was born in Tioga County, Penn., April 7, 1816. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Bradford County, in the same State. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, by private tutors, and at the Athens Academy. His business life began at the early age of fourteen; when at intervals not engaged in studies, he was employed for several years as clerk in a store. At the age of nineteen years, he engaged as a teacher in Lycoming County, Penn., which occupation he followed in that county and Bradford until the year 1838, when he emigrated to the West. Spent a year in Illinois, and, finally settled at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, in the year 1839. He was elected Sheriff of that county in the fall of that year, and was re-elected for four terms in succession; in all eight years. Mr. Gray had previously read law with his father, who was a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar at Marion, Iowa, in 1847. After entering the profession, and some practice, he was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1848. Retiring from office in 1850, he purchased a stock farm of 640 acres, and gave his attention for some years to his farms. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the present constitution of Iowa. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the work of that convention, which has remained unchanged, was celebrated at the capital of the State, on the 19th of January last, by the surviving members, of whom Mr. Gray was one. In the year 1857, he was appointed one of the fiscal agents of the State to settle with the custodians of the school funds, and the same year was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings, in which capacity he served three years, and during which term the Blind Asylum at Vinton was located and erected. In 1857, Mr. Gray engaged in the mercantile business under the firm style of Peddicord, Gray & Co. Three years later the style changed to H. W. Gray & Co. In April, 1861, before any requisition had been issued, he enlisted a company, and tendered then for active service. The company of which he was Captain was mustered into service as Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry. He received a commission also as Lieutenant Colonel. After two years' service he resigned on account of severe and protracted sickness. In doing so, he received universal expressions of regret from brother officers, and an assurance of reinstatement by the Adjutant General whenever the state of his health would admit of his taking the field. This he was precluded from doing, but he rendered important services in recruiting and organizing troops for the war. At the close of the war, having disposed of his mercantile business, he retired to this farm, which he superintended during the next four years. In April, 1869, his wife, who had been an invalid for some years, died. Soon afterward he sold out, and, in 1871, came to Nebraska. In that year he entered by pre-emption 160 acres of land in Fillmore County, and with his son established themselves in the lumber trade under the firm name of J. M. Gray & Co. The business has been prosperous, and is continued under the same firm at Sutton, Clay Co., Neb. In 1872, Mr. Gray opened a law office in the same town. He has been successfully engaged in the practice to the present time, but is now retiring from the business on account of advanced age. He was married in the year 1840, in Linn County, Iowa, to Annie M. Smith. Her family were from Guilford, N. C., but she was born and raised at Indianapolis, Ind. As before stated, she died in 1869. Seven children--John M., Clinton B., Ada A., Celestia A., Eugenia M., Hosea W., Jr., and Abraham L. survive her, to cheer the declining years of their aged father. In their society, retired from the anxieties and cares of business, with a competence for necessary wants, the subject of this sketch hopes to await the sunset of life in virtuous contemplation. (Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, Clay County)
Hosea W. Gray, senior member of the firm of J. M. Gray & Co., was born in Tioga County, Penn., April 7, 1816. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Bradford County, in the same State. His education was obtained in the common schools of the country, by private tutors, and at the Athens Academy. His business life began at the early age of fourteen; when at intervals not engaged in studies, he was employed for several years as clerk in a store. At the age of nineteen years, he engaged as a teacher in Lycoming County, Penn., which occupation he followed in that county and Bradford until the year 1838, when he emigrated to the West. Spent a year in Illinois, and, finally settled at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, in the year 1839. He was elected Sheriff of that county in the fall of that year, and was re-elected for four terms in succession; in all eight years. Mr. Gray had previously read law with his father, who was a lawyer, and was admitted to the bar at Marion, Iowa, in 1847. After entering the profession, and some practice, he was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1848. Retiring from office in 1850, he purchased a stock farm of 640 acres, and gave his attention for some years to his farms. In 1856, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the present constitution of Iowa. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the work of that convention, which has remained unchanged, was celebrated at the capital of the State, on the 19th of January last, by the surviving members, of whom Mr. Gray was one. In the year 1857, he was appointed one of the fiscal agents of the State to settle with the custodians of the school funds, and the same year was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings, in which capacity he served three years, and during which term the Blind Asylum at Vinton was located and erected. In 1857, Mr. Gray engaged in the mercantile business under the firm style of Peddicord, Gray & Co. Three years later the style changed to H. W. Gray & Co. In April, 1861, before any requisition had been issued, he enlisted a company, and tendered then for active service. The company of which he was Captain was mustered into service as Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry. He received a commission also as Lieutenant Colonel. After two years' service he resigned on account of severe and protracted sickness. In doing so, he received universal expressions of regret from brother officers, and an assurance of reinstatement by the Adjutant General whenever the state of his health would admit of his taking the field. This he was precluded from doing, but he rendered important services in recruiting and organizing troops for the war. At the close of the war, having disposed of his mercantile business, he retired to this farm, which he superintended during the next four years. In April, 1869, his wife, who had been an invalid for some years, died. Soon afterward he sold out, and, in 1871, came to Nebraska. In that year he entered by pre-emption 160 acres of land in Fillmore County, and with his son established themselves in the lumber trade under the firm name of J. M. Gray & Co. The business has been prosperous, and is continued under the same firm at Sutton, Clay Co., Neb. In 1872, Mr. Gray opened a law office in the same town. He has been successfully engaged in the practice to the present time, but is now retiring from the business on account of advanced age. He was married in the year 1840, in Linn County, Iowa, to Annie M. Smith. Her family were from Guilford, N. C., but she was born and raised at Indianapolis, Ind. As before stated, she died in 1869. Seven children--John M., Clinton B., Ada A., Celestia A., Eugenia M., Hosea W., Jr., and Abraham L. survive her, to cheer the declining years of their aged father. In their society, retired from the anxieties and cares of business, with a competence for necessary wants, the subject of this sketch hopes to await the sunset of life in virtuous contemplation. (Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, Clay County)
Family Members
Siblings
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