My Genealogy Hound

William B. Gray is a native of Fort Scott. Kas., born October 14, 1862, and is the son of Lee and Catherine (Schoeler) Gray. The father was born in Washington County, Penn., lived there until grown, and there received a good education. When not attending school he clerked in his father’s store. He left that State in 1858, and settled in Jasper County, Mo. Catherine (Schoeler) Gray was born in Knox County, Ohio, and there lived until fifteen or sixteen years of age, when her parents immigrated to Jasper County, Mo. She was also well educated, and after coming to Missouri devoted her time to teaching school, which she continued until the breaking out of the war (1861), when she married Mr. Gray. She died December 8, 1862, leaving one child, William B. Mr. Gray had, previous to his wife’s death, immigrated to Kansas, and in that State followed farming for some time. He here married his second wife, Mrs. Welch, and by her became the father of five children: Tussie, Jesse, Wesley, Leslie and Maud, all now living. After a few years of farmer’s life Mr. Gray ventured into the newspaper business, which he followed for about a year, when he again returned to farm life. Since then he has lived on his farm three miles from Fort Scott, Kas. William B. Gray, after his mother’s death, was taken by his grandparents, and was by them reared. From the age of seven to fourteen he was in the school-room, after which time he was put to work on the farm in the summer, but attended school in the winter until eighteen years of age. He then began the battle of life for himself by renting land of his uncle and in following agricultural pursuits. August 4, 1883, he married Miss Eliza Myers, daughter of Noah and Mary Myers, of Jasper County, Mo., but natives of Indiana. They moved from the last named State to Jasper County, Mo., where Mrs. Gray was born. She bore her husband two children, one now living, Isaac M. The one deceased was named Lee B. Since coming to Benton County Mr. Gray has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and although a young man has a farm of 160 acres, eighty being under cultivation, and his prospects are bright for a happy and prosperous future. Since coming to Arkansas he has rented his own land, and has been living on his grandfather’s farm, acting as his agent. He is a strong Republican in his political views, yet has never voted for a presidential candidate.