My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Clark County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  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.

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Robert P. Gray, one of Clark County’s oldest citizens, was born in Kentucky in 1823, and is the son of William Gray, a native of the same State, born in 1799, and Margaret (Price) Gray, who was also a native of Kentucky. Our subject was left an orphan at the early age of four, and in 1827 came to Missouri with his grandfather and uncle, making his home with them in Montgomery County, until 1837, when he accompanied his uncle to Lewis County, Mo., (now Clark County,) and located at Athens. The country then abounded in wild deer and Indians, and the old gentleman can relate many stories of early pioneer life in Clark County. In 1853 our subject was united in marriage to Julia A. Graham, daughter of James K. and Malena B. (Davis) Graham, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. The father was an old settler of Clark County. Mrs. Gray was born June 16, 1830, in Lewis County, Mo. She received her education in Clark County, and is a bright and well-informed lady. This marriage was blessed with ten daughters, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Gray is the owner of 320 acres of good and well-improved land, and has been a farmer of Clark County for fifty years. He is a Democrat. His wife is a worthy member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. They are both greatly interested in the education of the future generation.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in the Clark County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Clark County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Clark County, Missouri family biographies here: Clark County, Missouri Biographies

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