The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-11-15
DEATH OF W. q. GRAY.
One Of The Founders of The State
Passes Away.
A Brief Sketch Of Long and Honorable
Life.

w. II. Gray died at the residence OF
his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Kamm, in
Portland yesterday morning Of general
debility.
This simple announcement will oc-
casion profound regret for the demise
of venerable and worthy man, who
consecrated his life to unselfsh work,
and who through a long period OF
earthly existence, Obeyed the injunc-
ton of the Divine Master, who in
strUcted his disciples TO go around,
doing good"
VIM. Henry Gray was born in Fair
field, Herkimer county, New York,
September 10th, 1910, and was 79
years, two months and four days old.
He grew to manhood in New York
state, and in the first enthusiasm of
youth obeyed what he deemed call
to life work, which he followed with
undertaking steadfastness to the end.
In company with DR.. Marcus Whit
man, Rev. Mr.. Spaulding, and other
devoted spirits, he left New York on
the 18th of April, 1886, for the region
then known as Oregon, as secular
agent of the American board of for
eign missions under Presbyterian aus
pices. A volume could be written of
the trials and hardships of their trip.
Suffice it to say they reached what is
now Wailatpu, Wash, on the 2nd Of
September, 1886.
In the spring of 1887, Mr.. Gray re-
turned to New York state and on
February 4th, 1888, he and Miss Mary
Augusta Dix were married: the young
couple Immediately started for this
coast, and located at what is now
Lapwai, Idaho, where their Oldest son.
ex-state senator J. II. ID. Gray, of this
city, was born. He was the second
white male child born in the territory
now known as Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Montana, Cyrus Walker being
the first.
From Lapwai Mr.. Gray and family
moved to Salem, Oregon, in 1912,
thence to Oregon City in 1874, and to
Clatsop plains in 1916, coming to As
toria in 1854, and being an almost
constant resident of this city for the
last thirty-five years.
The history of his life is the history
of Oregon: he was present at the birth
of the first effort of popular sover-
eighty on this coast, and was one of
the leaders of the provisional govern
ment for this territory in 1874 He
was a man of large heart and brain,
always working for the common veal,
and with hand always outstretched
to aid a fellow mortal
He was one of the men that helped
build up this great commonwealth,
and his name and services occupy a
prominent place in the archives of the
state.
His most widely Known work is the
History of Oregon" a book that is
found in nearly every home in the
state, and is a standard authority on
many subjects.
Since the death of his beloved wife,
December Sth, 1881, he has lived in
partial secclusion; sometime ago he
went to visit one of his sons, Capt. J.
L. Gray, of Vancouver, and was paying
a visit to another of his children. Mrs.
Jacob Kamm, Portland when the
summons came to him.
Among those of his children who
survive him, are Capt. J. H. d. Gray,
of this city, Mrs. Tarbell, of Tacoma,
Mrs. Abernethy, Capt. w. p. Gray, of
Pasco, Wash, A. w. Gray. Mrs. Jacob
Kamm, of Portland, and Capt. J. T.
Gray, of Vancouver, Wash.
He was the Oldest and one of the
foremost of the fast diminishing band
of Oregon pioneers, men and women,
who in their day and generation did
great and enduring work for Oregon,
the state of their adoption, and who
deserve yeneration and respect from
those of us who follow them and reap
the reward their valor won.
In accordance with Mr.. Gray's last
request the interment will take place
on the hillside cemetery in this city,
where lie the remains of his wife
The body will be down on the I. J.
Potter this morning, and the funeral
will be this afternoon, after the arrival
of the Telephone, on which boat will
come several relatives from Tacoma,
who could not reach Portland in time
to take the Potter last night.
Services will be held at the Presby-
terian church this afternoon, after
which all that is mortal of the vener-
able w. H. Gray will be inferred on
the hill overlooking the city in which
he spent so many useful years OF his
life.