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History of Rush County Indiana
JAMES GRAY was born on the farm where he now resides February 8, 1834. His
parents were James and Mary (Nichols) Gray, natives of Monroe County, W. Va., of
Anglo—Saxon origin mixed with Scotch blood. The former was the son of John and
Mary (Rayburn) Gray, the former of whom was a very prominent worker in political
circles. He was Circuit Judge, and held office in the Legislature for fourteen years. His
parents were among the pioneer settlers of Virginia. James Gray, the third child of John
Gray, was born in Monroe County, W. Va., May 23, 1797, and was reared on the farm. In
April, 1816, when but nineteen years of age, he was united in marriage with Mary
Nickell, daughter of George and Margaret (Nelson) Nickell, natives of West Virginia,
where Mary was born October 8, 1798. They located on a rented farm, and in the fall of
1822, resolved to seek a home in the west and removed to Union County, Indiana, but, in
1824, Mr. Gray bought a part of the tract of land, which our subject now owns in Union
Township, Rush County, Indiana. He paid $I55 for eighty acres. Here he made a home
and resided until their respective deaths. James, our subject, was raised on the farm and
has adopted farming as a life occupation. He received a good education in his youth; and
on December 20, 1857, was married to Miss Martha Jane Nichols, daughter of James and
Sina E. (Gerard) Nichols, natives of Franklin County, Indiana, where Mrs. Gray was
principally reared. This union was blessed with twelve children: John H., William H.,
Rebecca C., Nancy, George, Andrew, Vincent, Adda, Cary, Minnie, Mary and Madison,
of whom George, Mary and Madison are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are members of
the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Gray is a Republican. He owns the old Gray
homestead, which was settled in 1824, and upon which he has spent his entire life. Here
he has brought up a large family of sons and daughters, half of whom have grown to
maturity. Lora1957@aol.com Related Genealogy Resources: Search results for Gray on World Vital Records - Free and Subscription Data Records Images Online Free and Subscription Search OneGreat Family for Gray Surname New England Early Genealogy for Gray Surname Family Tree Connection for Gray
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