Biographical Sketch of

Isaac Clark Gray

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 709 - 710 - 711 


Isaac Clark Gray, who is engaged in farming and general stock-raising on section 36, Princeton Township, is one of the 
most popular men in the community.  He was born Jan. 21, 1813, in the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., and is 
a son of Isaac and Peninah (Hurt) Gray.  The family is of English origin, and was founded in America by two brothers, 
Henry and John Gray, who came to this country in 1643.  They had formerly been residents of Nottingham, England, and 
had there married sisters, daughters of William Frost, who with his family accompanied them to Connecticut.  They 
located in Fairfield and were among its earliest settlers.  There is still in existence an old memorial stone at Campo, 
near the shore of Long Island Sound, which bears the inscription of Henry Gray.  Unquestionably it marks the burial 
place of the ancestor of this line.  His descendants are scattered all over the United States.  Many were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War, others served in the War of 1812, and again in the late Rebellion the family was well 
represented.
 
The grandfather of our subject is duly mentioned in the Records of Danbury and Brookfield, Conn., as having bought 
and sold real estate in 1808.  His son, father of our subject, married Peninah Hurd, and to them were born five 
children, of whom Isaac C. is the youngest.  Two have now passed away--Abel H. and Edwin F., and the other two 
living are Curtis W. and Hiram A.  The father was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation in Connecticut 
until 1803, when with his family he removed to the Empire State, locating in Rensselaer County.  Resuming work as a 
carpenter, he continued operations in that line until 1813, when he built a sawmill, thereby providing for the 
maintenance of his family until 1828, when he returned to his native State.  His next venture was as a farmer.  
He engaged in the cultivation of a tract of land, which he purchased near the old homestead, until 1836, which 
year witnessed his arrival in Calhoun, Mich.  He had heard of the splendid opportunities afforded by the West, 
and determined to test the truth of those reports by a removal to the scene, but he was not long permitted to 
enjoy his new home, his death occurring in 1840, at the age of sixty-one years.  His wife had died many years 
previously, in May, 1813.  For his second wife he married Nancy Brooker, who died ten days after the death of 
her husband.
 
Our subject received such education as the common schools of his native State afforded, and remained under the 
parental roof until eighteen years of age, at which time he was apprenticed to a gentleman who was owner of a 
woolen factory.  After learning the trade he worked in various mills for three years, when in 1836, he removed 
to the old Bay State, where he was employed in a woolen mill for two years.  His father as before stated came 
to the West in 1836, and in 1838 our subject also went to Michigan, there making his home until the death of the 
old gentleman.  Soon afterward he returned to Massachusetts and resumed his old employment as a manufacturer of 
woolen goods, continuing the same for eight years, when he removed to Bennington, Vt., where he made his home for 
two years.  He then once more went to Massachusetts, and from that time until 1864 was employed in different mills 
until he received an offer to become Superintendent of a new woolen mill in Vermont.  He continued to serve in that 
capacity for three years, and then came to Wisconsin, at the same time purchasing fifty acres of land in the town 
of Princeton, where he now resides.  His farm is one of the best in the community, and is under a high state of 
cultivation.  The stock there found is of the best grades, and his improvements are many, useful and beautiful.
 
Since his arrival in Green Lake County, Mr. Gray has always given his support to those enterprises which are 
calculated to benefit the public and has ever done his share in the advancement of its worthy interests.  In 
the positions of honor and trust which he has occupied, ability and fidelity to duty have ever marked his course, 
and his long continued service as Justice of the Peace and School Treasurer indicate the confidence reposed in 
him by his constituents.  He held the former position for twenty-two years, the latter for twelve years, and 
also served as Side Supervisor for one term.  In political sentiment he is now a supporter of the Democracy.  
He cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay, and after its organization affiliated with the Republican 
party until 1876, when he joined forces with the Democrats.  He held membership with the Odd Fellows society 
in Massachusetts, but does not now belong to any civic organization.  He is a man well-known throughout the 
community, is whole souled and genial, and numbers among his friends all with whom he has become acquainted.
 
The estimable wife of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Emeline Parker.  She was born in Berkshire County, 
Mass., in 1818, and in 1842 was united in marriage with Isaac C. Gray.  Her parents, John and Betsy (Bisbee) 
Parker, were both natives of the same State, and her grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers.  Mrs. Gray is 
the only one of the family yet living.  Her father died in 1858, and her mother in 1864, and her ten brothers 
and sisters have also passed away.  Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray, namely:  Coralinn, who 
is now deceased; Marion, who is one of the finest portrait artists in the State of Wisconsin; John P. and 
Willie H.  






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