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Audubon County |
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Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon CountiesCHAPTER VIII.
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Gray is a station on the Carroll branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and is situated on section 12 of Lincoln Township, near the north line of the county. The land was formerly owned by George and Fannie Gray. The plat was filed for record August 10, 1881. However, the road did not come until early in 1882. The first to engage in business was William Johnson, who started a general store. William Stotts also started in the same line of business that season. The first to deal in hardware in the place was Theodore Myres. The first hotel was built for L. C. Whipple in 1882; the same is now idle, the large building being owned by George Gray. George Gray, proprietor of the building, built a large steam elevator of 33,000-bushel capacity; also a spacious office in which he transacts the business of his grain-house, besides that of his ranch of 1,500 acres close to the village plat. Upon this ranch are raised horses, cattle and hogs in large numbers. The residence on his ranch is very superior, as well as barns and shedding. The first to handle drugs was Dr. Hinsdale. The first harness-maker of the place was David Soar, who has the honor of starting the first harness-shop in each town and village within the county, but one. The pioneer blacksmith was a man named De Good. George Davis opened a restaurant in 1887. The first to deal in grain was George Gray. A postoffice was established at Gray, which was named in honor of the proprietor of the village, in 1882. The first postmaster was William Stotts, who was succeeded by W. R. Johnson, and he, in 1886, by B. Lebeck. . Jones and Seth Gifford had charge a short time. The first school on the village plat was taught by Miss Libbie Johnson, in 1883. The school-house, which stood in an adjoining county district, was moved into the village in 1887, and an addition built to it, making two departments, in 1888. The Methodist Episcopal people formed a church and erected a neat structure in 1886, which cost $1,500. The United Brethren also have a society in the neighborhood, and hold services every other week in the Methodist building. The Methodists have no regular pastor, but are supplied from another charge. |
SOCIETIES.
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An Odds Fellows' Lodge, known as Utopia Lodge, No. 461, of Gray, was instituted April 20, 1888, with a charter membership of seven which at the present date (1889) numbers twenty-eight. The first elective officers were as follows: J. E. Freetley, N. G.; T. J. Spiker, V. G.; O. B. Francisco, Secretary; H. W. Lebeck, Treasurer. Officers for 1889: J. S. Fisher, N. G.; William McMullen, V. G.; C. M. Taylor, Secretary; Frank P. Reese, Treasurer. The present condition of the lodge is excellent; they have a finely furnished hall and are free from debt. Hiawatha Lodge, No. 16, I. O. R. M., was formed October 19, 1888, by a charter membership of twenty-seven. The first officers were: Spark Baker, Sachem; A. L. Brooks, Keeper of Records; F. Reese, Keeper of Wampum; S. D. Scovil, Prophet; John Hench, Senior Sagamore; C. Woodland, Junior Sagamore; O. F. Francisco, First Sentinel; Eli Agnew, Second Sentinel; William Johnson, Inside Guard; Charles Wiley, Outside Guard. The officers elected to serve in 1889 were: O. B. Francisco, Sachem; A. L. Brooks, Keeper of Records; John Lancelot, Keeper of Wampum; Spark Baker, Prophet; Frank Reese, Senior Sagamore; Eli Agnew, Junior Sagamore. Good Templars' Lodge, No. 437, was organized at Gray, December 8, 1888, by a membership of forty-six. The first to serve as officers were: D. O'Lary, C. T.; Miss Alta Crow, V. T.; Mrs. J. J. Kittell, Dep.; Mrs. W. J. Audis, S. J. T.; Mrs. C. M. Taylor, P. C. T.; Mrs. W. J. Lancelott, Chaplain; S. T. Thompson, Financial Secretary; Mrs. R. J. Reese, Treasurer; T. O'Lary, Recording Secretary; Miss Clara Atkinson, Assistant Secretary; Samuel Harris, Marshall; Miss Nora O'Lary, Deputy, Marshal; May Clark, Sentinel; Thomas Watson, G.; R. H. Hamilton, D. G. The present membership of this order is fifty-nine. They meet once a week at Odd Fellows Hall. |
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1888-'89.
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General stores, Lancelott & Reese, H. W. & B. Lebeck & Co., Horace Shelley; hardware, Audis Brothers; drugs, Dr. A. L. Brooks; hotel, "Cottage House," S. T. Thompson, proprietor; restaurant, Frank Davis; blacksmith shop, Hepp & Frese; wagon shop, Hepp & Frese; harness shop, Honsman & Scovile; grain dealers, George Gray, Charles Stuart & Son; coal dealers, George Gray, Green Bay Lumber Company; lumber, Green Bay Lumber Company; physicians, Dr. A. L. Brooks, Dr. L. A. Bears; livery stable, S. T. Thompson; meat market, Benson & Peterson. A newspaper called the Western Blizzard was published here about a year by Frank D. Allen, who later on consolidated it with the Audubon Advocate. It is generally understood that S. T. Thompson, proprietor of the Cottage House, is about to start a local paper at Gray. |
| Prev. <=== Continue Reading ===> Next Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass September, 2014 from "Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties", Chicago: W. S. Dunbar & Co., 1889, pp. 681-683. |
