Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-15

Of Starks. Maine. NOV. II, 1914. ana
was one of eleven children Of George
and. Margarc- GpinsmorD Gray. II"
received common school "dutat."n
in the schools of hie uativ" toxin.
and being DESTROYS Of securing a
knowledge of business. in lhii h"
came to Gardiner and entered the
office ~ clay. Din4morr y 90. "h" at
that time operated saw mill "h dam
No ..
Young Gray worked AS c.rrk in thu
Office Tor about Two years ana then.
having an opportunity I" purchase w"
interest OF one Of the Stockholders "
the company. George Moore. did 50.
and began there business career
that has been conducted successfully
for more than half century.
He then bought an interest in a
shingle and clapboard mill Owned hy
Frost * Sargent. and the firm became
Frost x Gray. About six years later.
Mr. Frost sold nut "a : W. Townsend.
and Mr.. Gray became the senior part
nrr .: thu firm Of Gray X Townsend
Their mill VAS destroyed IN fire. ANA
then the firm " J. Gray < tu-. com
l''ss'' vi III ~ ~ J'ii I t'f-7N ''A''i
Bradbury T. Dinsmure. leased an old
steam mill that used To- be located IN
til" west side uf the krnu.ll"c riy--.
~ wharf nearly opposite III" resi-
dence Of the latn. T. G. ErIdstr.tt.
This mill. after being op rated by
them fur about four years. was d--
struyrd hy fire..
Til" present mil was bought before
the War ~ the Rebellion. Of clay X
Co. tn" purchasers being Gray X
plEsmnrc \ few yrarS later Mr. Gray
bought ont lis partner. ana fur many
years thereafter conducted his business
alone. In 1870 h" bought dam NJ. ,,
and enlarged and m0dernized the mill
IT, its present condition In 1876 he
made his son. George, a partner ANA
in 1894 admitted another son. Chas H.
and the firm does business at present
under the name ot Joshua Gray &
Sons. and is widely known as one nj
The most substantial lumber concerns
IN the State Of Maine.
on the 25th Of June. 1919. Mr. Gray
was united in marriage with Miss
Ploma Currier % Norridgewock. the
union resulting in four children.
George, Frederick, Charles H, and
Harriet f.. now Mrs. Benjamin Il. clay
of Minneapolis. al Of whom survive
him.
Aside from his business career he
was many times called to fiji public
Offices. both by the city and the State.
and always discharged his trusts with
A fidelity and honesty of purpose that
won for him the highest esteem OF his
fellow men
In 1864 he became a member Of the
common council, and was reelected in
1865 and &c In 1867 he was elected
alderman. and during the same year.
owing to the death of the mayor. Hon.
George w. Wilcox. Mr.. Gray was elect
ed to fill the vacancy. being reelected
in ls6s6970. Twice. in 1869 and 1870.
he was chosen to the Senate.
He was one of the original directors
of the Oakland National Bank at Gar
diner, and was elected president Of the
institution in 1871. which office he has
since held. He was also president OF
the Oakland Manufacturing Company
Of Gardiner. He was closely identified
with the lumber industry Of the state.
and the Kennebec Log Driving Com
pany, and was for years one of its
directors.
In politics he was first, last and al
ways a staunch Republican. and ever
earnest and Jealous in working for the
success of his party His religious
preference was IniverS1lsm. and il
can be truthfully said that ne lived in
strict accordance with the teachings of
his creed.
In the death of Joshua Gray. Gar
diner loses one of her nOblest sons. He
was a devoted husband. a fond father
and an honest. upright man-one to
whom belonged the credit of making
t.nSelf what he waS-who had begun
at the bottom of the ladder. and had,
by steady labor and perseverance,
reached the top, where success was his.
And it must have brought content
ment. in the autumn of his life for him
to look back through the mists Of years
and think of the fruits of happiness
that I've had gathered along the way.