GRAY, JAMES P.

GRAY, HOFFMAN

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/18/2005 at 16:58:34

Biography reproduced from page 554 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

James P. Gray was born in Washington Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1837. When nineteen years of age he went to Olmsted Co., Minn., working two years in Jesse H. Hawthorn’s saw mill at that place. He then went to Dubuque Co., Iowa, where he worked for eighteen months on a farm. He then went to Wright Co., Iowa, working there on a farm for two years. He then spent seven years on a farm and in a saw mill in Fayette county. Mr. Gary enlisted March 29, 1864, in company C, 6th Iowa Cavalry, being mustered in at Davenport. He was in the battles of Bad Lands, Totolooke hills. He was a corporal, and had charge of the ropes which they tied horses with. After the close of the war Mr. Gray returned to Rochester, Minn., remaining there two years. In 1870 he removed to Kossuth county, settling on the south half of the southwest quarter of section 4, township 97, range 27. He now owns forty acres adjoining. He was married Nov. 10, 1869, to Emma J. Hoffman, of Rochester, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have seven children—William R., Henry M., Nancy J., Frederick R., Charles, James and George. Mr. Gray is a democrat in politics. He has been justice of the peace for three years, and school director four years.