1925 Biography - J Gray
J. F. Gray was born in this county in 1837. He was a son of James, who was a brother to Basil, one of the early residents of Vienna. Mr. Gray was at one time a partner with I. N. Pearce in the mercantile business in Vienna, he also helped to build the present courthouse. He went to New Burnside when it was founded and started the first bank in the county, known as the Johnson County Bank, also engaged in the dry goods business. When Burnside began to decline he came to Vienna, continuing in the banking business till his death 1896, under the firm of J. F. Gray & Son. He married Sue H. Wilson of Kentucky and had two children, Nellie, who married Dr. Boyt of Paducah, and died shortly after. Charles H. married Suda Bratton (see Chapman). He operated the bank for a number of years after his father's death, but retired and now lives on a farm six miles east of Vienna during the summer. They also have a resident in Vienna which they occupy during the winter months.
Alexander J. Gray was a prominent citizen of this county, he served the county as sheriff twice, was a soldier of the Civil War in the 6th Cavalry, Republican in politics, died 1924. (For family see Smith and Reynolds). He belonged to one of the oldest families of Revolutionary War from North Carolina. His son Mid served in the World War.
Extracted 06 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1925 A History of Johnson County, Illinois, by Mrs. P. T. Chapman, pages 386-387.
