Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-27

afternoon by the report that J. W. Gray
had suddenly died al his residence upon
Superior street. Mr.. Gray had been much
unwell for some days, although he was
down town at the Plain Dealer Office on
Saturday last. During Sunday night he
was attacked with partial paralysis, al
though he was able to converse until about
II o'clock yesterday morning. He then
sunk rapidly, dying at half-past two.
Mr. Gray, from his long connection with
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, had become
one Of the prominent men OF the State, and
a brief sketch Of his life win be of interest
to our readers. He was nearly 4s years Of
age at his death, having been born in July,
1914, in BridpOrt, Addison county, Yer
mont. His ancestors we're all New Eng
landors. His early days were passed in
st. Lawrence county, New York, upon a
farm, receiving such education as farmer
boys generally secure in attending district
schools through the winter. He after
wards received a more thorough education
and fitted as a teacher at one Of the New
York State Teachers Associations. He
came to Cleveland in 1888, and at first taught
free school upon st. Clair street for two
or three months. He then went to Geauga
county and taught district school for
about q year Returning to Cleveland, he
entered the law Office Of Paine s Wilson,
(H B. Paine and Judge B. Y. Wilson,
where he completed his legal studies. He
was admitted to the bar, and entered upon
practice in an old wooden building on the
corner Of Superior and Union streets, now
occupied by Davis Franklin Buildings.
Not long after, he formed partnership in
the legal business, and removed to Miehi-
gan, where be remained but a short time.
Returning to Cleveland, he with his
brother, A. N. Gray, purchased the Cleve-
land Advertiser, taking possession Janu-
ary 1st, 1912. The next issue of the pa
per was under the name Of the Plain
Dealer. The two brothers published this
paper until 1916, the Office being then sit
uated over Sanford & Hayward's, on su-
perior strees. In the latter year A. n.
Gray retired from the firm. In 1850
Mr.. Gray purchased the building since
then occupied by the Plain Dealer
Of Caleb Atwater and moved his Office into
it. In 1862 the Plain Dealer was publish
ed BY the firm Of Gray, Beardsley, Spear
s Co., but soon went back into the prOpri-
etOrship Of J. W. Gray alone, who has ever
since had control Of it.
In 1858 Mr.. Gray was appointed POST
master Of Cleveland under President
Pierce, holding the Office until the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Harrington under Buchanan.
In Is5s-he was nominated by the Demo
Gratis for Congress, but was defeated. Mr..
Gray was member Of the Charleston and
Baltimore Conventions, being determined
supporter of Mr.. Douglas throughout, to
whom he was personally and politically
warmly attached.
In 1858 Mr.. Gray lost one Of his eyes by
the accidental discharge Of a percussion cap
from the gun Of his little son. The afiictiOn
was a very painful and serious one, as it
affected the sight Of his remaining eye, and
my Jyrrvy, s---;----ETa ,aaa-l>~A-. ,laable
since that time to attend closely TO busi-
ness, and has devoted the most of his at
tention to the cultivation of grapes upon
his land upon Kelley's Island.
Mr.. Gray had an active, vigorous tenn
permanent, which made him q stirring busi-
ness man and enabled him TO Accumulate
a handsome competence, He was man
Of strong feelings, and was either a fast
friend or an equally decided enemy. His
acquaintance extended throughout the
country, and his sudden death win be
very widely noted. As a journalist, he
was positive and pungent, and in the
palmiest days Of the Plain Dealer his edi-
tOriRls were widely quoted BY friends and
foes. 81 e
Mr.. Gray leaves a widow and three
children to mourn his loss. Notice Of the
funeral service viii be given in due time.