Biographies

ARTHUR GRAY, one of the enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Henderson County, now living in Gladstone, is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county. He was born in this locality January 8, 1858, and is a son of Patrick Gray, a native of Ireland, born in County Kildare in 1817. On the Emerald Isle he grew to manhood, and there married Ann Logan, who was born in 1827.

In 1849, Mr. Gray crossed the Atlantic to America, for he believed he might better his financial condition in the New World. Landing in New York City, he there remained six years, after which he went to Chicago, and a year later removed to Burlington, Iowa. In that city he spent two years, working as a fuller in a woolen factory, after which he came to Henderson County, where he embarked in farming. He was soon recognized as one of the leading and successful agriculturists of this community, and as one of its influential citizens. He carried on general farming until his death, which occurred on the old homestead farm on the 6th of December, 1892. His wife still survives him, and is yet living on the old homestead three miles south of Gladstone. In their family were eight children: Mrs. Ellen O'Leary, Arthur, Thomas, Mrs. Mary Leonard, and four who died in childhood.

No event of special importance occurred during the boyhood and youth of Arthur Gray, who upon the home farm was reared to manhood. He was early inured to the labor of the field, and through the summer months aided in the cultivation of the soil, while in the winter season he attended the district schools of the neighborhood.

On the 14th of September, 1881, Mr. Gray was united in marriage with Miss Hannah E. Roberts, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Griffith) Roberts, who were natives of Monmouthshire, Wales, and in 1862 crossed the briny deep to America, taking up their residence in Burlington. Iowa. Soon after, they came to Henderson County. They had a family of nine children, namely: Thomas, William, George, Mrs. Hannah Gray, Mrs. Mary Gray, Mrs. Emma Russell, Annie, Mrs. Sallie Walburn and Arthur. They are all farming people, who have become well-to-do and are widely and favorably known throughout the county.

Three children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Mabel, born June 15, 1883: Clyde, September 5, 1885: and Edgar, October 7, 1887. Mr. Gray is now one of the substantial farmers of the county.

He owns and operates five hundred and thirty-five acres of good land, which is under a high state of cultivation, and is well improved. All the accessories and conveniences of a model farm may here be found, and the neat appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. In connection with general farming, he is also engaged quite extensively in raising cattle, which branch of his business has proved to him quite profitable. His prosperity is the result of his own efforts and the assistance of his amiable wife, and is therefore well merited.

From the Portrait and Biographical Record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.