James Thompson Gray
James Thompson Gray, of Reily Township, was born in Franklin County, Indiana, December 27, 1819, removing to this county in 1833. His parents were Samuel Gray and Margaret Hiles. He was married on the second day of March, 1843, to Martha Ann Hidlay, daughter of Henry and Sarah Hidlay, who was born in Butler County in 1824. They have had five children. Sarah Eliza was born January 14, 1844; Phebe Harriet, November 4, 1846; Samuel Lerton, November 16, 1848; John Dinborn, April 19, 1854; and James Elmore, April 11, 1858. Mr. Gray was elected township trustee in 1852, and held the office for eight consecutive years. In October, 1881 he was elected county treasurer, and was to have taken his seat on the first Monday in September, 1882, but died very suddenly some three weeks before. Mr. Gray followed the business of buggy and carriage blacksmith.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.