RUSH COUNTY INGENWEB


Welcome to

Rush County, Indiana
Genealogy and History

a small part of the INGENWEB and USGENWEB Projects

BIOGRAPHIES


Centennial history of Rush
County, Indiana
Edited by A. L Gary and E. B. Thomas
Rushville, Ind.
In Two Volumes
Illustrated
VOLUME II
1921
HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS

CHESTER F. CROSS


JESSE G. GRAY, a well known farmer of Jackson township, residing on rural mail route No. 8, out of Rushville, is a native son of Rush county, having been born in Jackson township on November 6, 1876. His parents, James and Polly A. (Cross) Gray, were also natives of this county and here the father followed farming throughout his active life, being the owner of 141 acres of land in Jackson township. To him and his wife were born three children, all of whom are living, namely : Frances C, Emma J. and Jesse G. Jesse G. Gray attended the Downey school, district No. 4, and then turned his attention to the cultivation of the home farm, remaining with his father until about thirteen years after his marriage. He then moved onto the place where he now lives, comprising eighty acres, which he operates for his mother. He carries on general farming operations, raising all the crops common to this locality and also giving some attention to the raising of hogs, feeding and marketing about one hundred and fifty head a year. Mr. Gray was married on April 30, 1899, to Lola A. Havens, a native of Posey township and the daughter of John and Adonia (Able) Havens. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have a son, Wilbur, born on October 39, 1900, who attended the Osborn school, in his home township. Politically, Mr. Gray is a staunch advocate of the Democratic party and takes a deep interest in public affairs, especially as pertaining to his county and township. Fraternally, he is a member of Ivy Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, at Rushville. Personally, he is genial and companionable and his friends are in number as his acquaintances. On October 19, 1919, his nineteenth birthday, Wilbur Gray enlisted in the marine corps and served for five months. In the spring of 1921 he became a Freemason, taking the degrees in Phoenix lodge at Rushville.