History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

208 History of Swansea
high regard for him. While in California, Mr. Gray was a regular correspondent
of the Tribune, writing many letters of interest to the readers
of that paper. After a brief absence he returned to New York, and was
again employed upon the staff of the Tribune. Six years later he made a
second visit to California, and purchased an interest in the Sacramento
Union, the largest newspaper pubhshed in Sacramento at that time, and
one of the influential journals of the State. On his retirement from the
Union he was presented with a gold headed cane as a token of the printers*
esteem. His successful management of this paper had enabled him to
gather a comfortable property, which he thought might be sufficient for his
needs.
In 1861, he returned to Fall River to live, the ill health of his wife
requiring a change of residence. While residing in Fall River, he served
there, as deputy collector of customs for several years. And at one period
he resided in Washington, D. C, serving as clerk of the committee on
accounts. Mr. Gray held no public office in Swansea, although he was
once unanimously chosen as a member of the Board of Selectmen of the
town. But being employed in Washington, D. C. at that time, he did not
accept the office. He was once a candidate for Senatorial honors, and
failed of an election by only four votes. He was a man of public spirit and
of a social disposition, but of a quiet virtue and honesty of purpose. During
the last ten years of his hfe he was editor of the Swansea Record, a local
sheet published from Fall River for the country towns.
Mr. Gray's death occurred Feb. 23, 1898, at the home of his son
Lewis S. Gray in Swansea, where he had resided for a number of years.
His burial was attended by a large and deeply interested company of
neighbors and friends besides many acquaintances from Fall River and
other cities, including Hon. Eastwood Eastwood, Mr. C. N. Robertson,
Mr. George Pierce, Mr. P. E. Ryan, Mr. Dexter and Mr. Dabler of
Lonsdale, R. L, old friends of the deceased; Hon. Frank S. Stevens,
Hon. John S. Brayton, John P. Slade, David F. Slade, Ehjah P. Chace,
Mr. E. M. Thurston, Rev. T. S. Weeks, Job Gardner, David B. Gardner.
George W. Slade, David A. Brayton, Jr., Thomas D. Covel, and
F. M. Bronson.
Mr. Gray was married in 1853, to Miss Avice Cotton (daughter of
John S. and Avice (Gardner) Cotton of Fall River) who died in 1863.
Their children are:
Kate born 1858 died 1858
EHzabeth born 1854 died 1860
Mary born 1855 died 1871
and Lewis Skinkle born in Sacramento, Cal., in 1860, who married
Henrietta Wilbur, daughter of Philander Gordon and Susan Rhodes
Wilbur, well known residents of Swansea Centre, in 1881. Lewis S. has
served the Town as School committee. Town assessor for several years and
Selectman and overseer of the Poor for more than ten years.
Henrietta Gray was a pupil of the Prov. State Normal School and a
teacher in Swansea. Children of Lewis S. and Henrietta Gray:
Lewis Herbert Gray born in 1881
Avis Mabel Gray born in 1883
Clarence Wilbur Gray born in 1886
Percy Gordon Gray born in 1890
Isabel Rhodes Gray born in 1892
Elizabeth Cotton Gray born in 1896
Franklin Gray born in 1897
Jeremiah Gray born in 1899