James William Gray 1849-1930

GRAY, MOORHEAD, CLARKE, LITTLE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/22/2018 at 13:40:58

9 January 1930 - West Branch Times

James William Gray was born near Gray's Ford, Cedar county, Iowa, on Oct. 11, 1849. His family gave the name to the locality, which became the pioneer home of these first white settlers as far back as 1839. The Grays and Maxsons came from Ohio by boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and landed at what is now Muscatine, Iowa.

Ebenezar A. and Eliza were the parents who responded to the urgent call of "Westward", and after they had made their home in this new country they commenced to subdue the wilderness. Into the home in the woods came eight children, of whom the subject of this memoir was the youngest. All have now passed from life unto death.

The schools of Cedar county furnished the educational opportunities for the family, of which William received his portion. He soon took hold of the work which especially claimed these pioneer families and became a diligent and earnest toiler.

The farm was the opportunity open to him, and he had the satisfaction of learning later that he had become successful.

He became a home maker through his marriage to Sarah C. Moorhead in 1873. One child survives this marriage, Mrs. Maude Clarke of Monroe, Wash. The mother died on March 1, 1883.

Later, on Feb. 4, 1886, Mr. Gray married Miss Laura B. Little of Tipton, who for 43 years has been a devoted wife and the mother of two sons, Eugene A. and Robert L., both of West Branch.

In 1908 Mr. Gray left the farm, which had become famous through its association with the Maxson family and the historic John Brown, who, with his company of men, made it their headquarters in the winter of 1859. It was from this place they went to Harper's Ferry, where their leader and some of his followers paid the price of martydom for the cause of freedom which was so dear to them.

Since leaving the farm the family have been beloved residents of West Branch. It is worthy of note that Mr. Gray's entire life of 80 years has been spent in Cedar county and, with the exception of a short time when he lived near Tipton, he has lived in and near West Branch. Mr. Tom Nephew of Tipton bears almost the relationship of a son to this family, coming to them as a boy of 11 and finding a home until he had reached manhood.

Mr. Gray had been a sufferer from rheumatism for the past eight years, and has manfully fought his fight for better health, until recently he seemed to be improved. On the day following Christmas he became very ill, and had to take to his bed, from which it was ordained he should never leave it in health again. He passed away on the early morning of the New Year. So passed to his rest a beloved husband and father, a man of many friends. One well thought of as a citizen and as a man of worth and honesty. He was preeminently a lover of his home, and to so many, especially to his beloved wife and children his memory will be cherished dearly.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon Jan. 5, 1930, at 2:30, conducted by Rev. H. D. Green. Burial was made in the West Branch cemetery.