My Genealogy Hound

Mason W. Gray, M. D., whose portrait* accompanies this sketch, has been for the past 20 years one of the leading physicians, and surgeons of Pontiac, Michigan. He was born at Troy, Oakland County Michigan, in 1855, and is a son of George W. Gray, and a grandson of Daniel Gray, who came from the State of New York to Michigan, in 1832, settling in Troy township where both father and son followed farming.

George W. Gray was active in local politics and at one time was one of the three county drain commissioners. His death occurred in 1875, at the age of 56 years. The mother of Dr. Gray was born in Oakland County, Michigan, in 1826, and was a daughter of James Skidmore, who came to Michigan in 1822, from Utica, New York, and followed farming all his life. Dr. Gray’s birthplace in Troy township is owned by two of his sisters. His one brother, James S. Gray, is teller of the Pontiac Savings Bank.

Dr. Gray was reared and primarily educated in the district schools of Troy township and was graduated at the Michigan Agricultural College in 1877; three years later he was graduated in medicine at the University of Michigan. During 1880 and 1881, he served as assistant surgeon at the Quincy mine, Houghton County, Michigan, on the southern shore of Lake Superior, and followed this experience with a period of post-graduate study, receiving his diploma at the University of Pennsylvania in 1882. In January, 1883, he located for practice at Pontiac. For a time he was in partnership with Dr. Le Barron, but has been mainly alone, and is a general practitioner of the regular school of medicine. During his term of service at the Quincy mine he was also interested in some cases at the Nonesuch mine in Ontonagon County.

Dr. Gray has been called upon to serve the city in a number of official positions, for two years as city health officer, for six years as president of the Board of Education and as mayor during 1885-86. For six years he has served as a member of the State Board of Health and is generally considered an eminent member, of his profession. In politics he is actively Democratic.

Dr. Gray married a daughter of Colonel Beach of Oakland County and they have two sons, — Mason W. Jr., and Elmer Beach. He is a valued member of all the leading medical societies, the Pontiac, Oakland County, State and American, and is lecturer for the State society of the 6th District of Michigan, and has been president of the Pontiac society. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and other organizations. In religious connection, Dr. Gray is a Presbyterian. The pleasant home of the Doctor and family, is located at No. 135 Orchard Lake avenue, while his offices are situated at No. 5 North Saginaw street. Dr. Gray is not only held in the highest esteem by the profession, but by the public in general.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.