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 ESSE B. GRAY, whose name is well known among the leading citizens of Coles County, has retired from active business, and is spending the closing years of a long life of usefulness at his home in Charleston. He was born April 7, 1816, in Greene County Pa., and is the son of John and Rhoda (Bane) Gray, natives of Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country at a very early day. and settled in Maryland. His grandfather, Judge David Gray, was born in that State. Early in life, David Gray removed to Pennsylvania, where he entered an extensive tract of land in Rich Hill Township, Greene County, and as soon as the land came into market, he purchased this claim, which made four large farms. In 1832, his son John removed to Athens County, Ohio, a leading agricultural State, and at that period considered the Far West. He passed the remaining years of his life there engaged in farming, and was a man of influence in the community, interested in promoting all measures calculated to benefit the county. He was a Republican in politics, and both himself and his wife were prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. A family of nine children was born to them, five of whom are now living. Their record is as follows: Sarah, the wife of Francis Braddock, a Presbyterian clergyman; Jesse B., Isaac P., John and George.Jesse B. Gray lived at the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age, where he acquired much practical experience in the details of systematic farming, and received a good common-school education. He remained on the homestead engaged in farming until 1865. He then disposed of his property there and came to Illinois, whose resources as an agricultural State were being rapidly developed. He bought a tract of land containing 240 acres in Seven Hickory Township, this county, and was successfully engaged in farming there until 1884, when he retired from business and purchased his present residence in Charleston. In 1847, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Sarah Vorhees. Mrs. Gray was a native of Athens County, Ohio, and the daughter of Peter Vorhees. A family of six children was born to them, whose record is as follows: Frank, a resident of Homer, Champaign County, married Miss Mary Whaley, and has a family of four children—Eva, John, Fred and Queeney; Rhoda, Mrs. Kerr, of Nebraska, has a family of four children—Harry, Glen, Jesse and Elsie; Ruth, Mrs. McNutt, is a resident of Seven Hickory Township and has a family of three children—Fred, Clifford and Cleta; Almira, Mrs. J. Ashbrook, is a resident of Seven Hickory Township, and has two children—Earl and Claud ; Sarah, Mrs. Martin McConnell, is a resident of Charleston, and George, single and at home. In 1883 the family circle was broken by the death of Mrs. Gray. The beloved wife and devoted mother was removed from the companionship of those whose joys and sorrows she had shared for so many years, but only to await the home-coming of her loved ones, where parting shall be no more. Mrs. Gray was a sincere and earnest Christian, and had been for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics. He served as School Director and Commissioner during his residence in Seven Hickory Township, discharging his public duties faithfully, and to the satisfaction of the community. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church at the age of seventeen, and throughout a long life has honored and served the Master, winning what is of more value than the most brilliant earthly success, the Divine approval. |
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