Robert F. Gray
Robert F. Gray is a son of John Gray, who was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., March 26, 1800. David Gray, the grandfather of Robert F., was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America when a young man, first locating in Pennsylvania, where he married, and about 1814 migrated to Jefferson County, Ohio, from there coming to Holmes County in 1835. They engaged in farming in Mechanic Township, and lived there until their death. Their family consisted of eight children, three of whom are still living: Samuel, of Des Moines, Iowa; James, of Killbuck Township, and Eliza, wife of George F. Newton, of Millersburgh.
John Gray married, in Jefferson County, Ohio, Miss Henrietta Scott, and they came to Holmes County with his parents. He was a plasterer by trade, and principally followed that occupation. They reared a family of ten children (seven of whom are still living): Robert F.; Ann E., wife of William McKee, of Mechanic Township, both deceased; John C., of Mechanic Township; H. B., of Iowa; Mary Jane, widow of Jacob A. Merchant, of Wooster; Eliza, wife of Jacob Sherman, of Allen County, Ohio; Susan, deceased wife of Ephraim Purdy, of Van Wert County, Ohio; Margery, wife of John C. Purdy, of Killbuck Township; James M., who was a member of the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died at Vicksburg, Miss.; and Minerva, who is unmarried, of Killbuck Township. He was a prominent worker for the Democratic party, and served as justice of the peace for many years. He died in 1885, and his wife in 1884.
Robert F. Gray was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 20, 1823, and came to Holmes County, Ohio, when about twelve years of age. He was educated at the township schools, and learned the trade of a plasterer, of his father which he followed for twenty years. Since then he has been engaged in farming. In 1847 he married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Lenox T. and Mary (Baine) McKee, of Mechanic Township. In 1849 they settled on their present farm, where they have since been engaged in general farming and stock raising. They have eight children, viz: Mary Jane, wife of Dr. A. E. Van Buskirk, of Fort Wayne, Ind., has five children: Minnie Belle, Etta Myrtle, Bertha, Robert and Harry; Franklin, a farmer of Iowa, married Miss Celia, daughter of David Finley, of Hardy Township, has two children: Etta and Bertha; Henrietta, wife of Jeremiah Shaffer, of Mechanic Township, has one child; Franklin; William H., farmer of Iowa, married Miss Chippy, daughter of Alfred Calhoun, of Hardy Township; Laura Ann, wife of Calvin Finley, of Hardy Township, has three children: William, Robert and Earl; Ida Ellen, wife of Jonathan Kline, of Mechanic Township; Lizzie May, wife of Joseph Arnold, of Prairie Township, and Albert at home.
Mr. Gray was formerly a Democrat, but of late years has supported the Republican party. He has filled various township offices. He is a member of the Holmes County Agricultural Society, in which he has served as president, vice-president and director.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889