My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

James W. Gray, a substantial farmer of Moro Township, Chambersville post-office, was born in Dallas County, Ark., March 9, 1845. His father, Henry Gray, came from Alabama to Dallas County, Ark., at an early day, and engaged in farming. Here he was married to Miss Eliza E. Taylo, a native of Dallas County, by whom he had nine children—four boys and five girls—five of whom—three boys and two girls—are living. Mrs. Gray died about 1853 in Dallas County, and Mr. Gray was again married, having four children by this later marriage. Mr. Gray died in this county in 1884. The subject of this sketch is the third child by the first marriage, and was raised in Calhoun County, in which county he received his limited education. He lived with his father until he reached his majority, and in 1865 he was married to Miss Martha Mitchell, a native of Ouachita County, Ark., born in 1848, a daughter of J. M. and Mary (Neel) Mitchell. Her father died in 1864 from the effects of a wound received in the battle of Jenkins’ Ferry. The result of this marriage was the following children, viz.: Mary F. (wife of Henry Brandon), Henry E., James M., Joseph N. (deceased), Samuel F., Benjamin W., George C, Julius S., Eura C. and Esther. Mr. Gray has been a resident of the county since 1875, and has resided on the farm he now owns and occupies, consisting of 260 acres of land, about fifty acres of which are under cultivation since 1884. His farm is located sixteen miles north of the county seat, and six miles from Fordyce. Mr. Gray served in the Confederate army about nine months in Company K, Thompson’s regiment Infantry. Politically he belongs to the Democratic party, and cast his first presidential vote for Seymour. Both he and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are highly respected by all in the community in which they live.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 67 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Calhoun County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Calhoun County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Calhoun County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.