Heritage \ Writings \

James Gray (1850-?)
Born in Toronto, Ont., pulisher in Bay City, Mich.
Contributed by Jim Petrimoulx. (February 2005)

Biography, 1883. - Added January, 2012.

History of Bay County, Michigan - 1883

JAMES GRAY,
______

was born June 9, 1850, at Toronto, Ont. He is of Scotch parentage, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1855. They settled in the Grand Traverse region. He learned the printing trade with the late Hon. Morgan Bates, in the Grand Traverse Herald office. He came to Bay City in 1871, and was at first in the employ of Culbert, Warren & Kroencke. He set up and printed the first copy of the Lumberman's Gazette, also Dow's “History of Bay City.” He was for a short time publisher of the Bay City Observer. For nearly two years, and until the early part of 1883, was associated with George F. Lewis as publisher of the Daily Morning Call, having acted as business manager and local editor. He has been in the job printing business since 1875. Is married.

Article, 1887. - Added January, 2012.

Western Reporter, 1887.

Michigan Supreme Court

Albert Miller v. Frost's Detroit Lumber & Wooden Ware Works.

Page 500.

James Gray testified that during the year 1885 he lived at Bay City, Michigan, and that his business was that of a purchasing agent of defendant, after some negotiation, said he would recommend him to defendant to do its business in Bay City.

He thereupon had some correspondence with defendant, and commenced buying for the corporation. Between August 7, and October 24, 1885, he purchased at Bay City, and shipped to Detroit for defendant seven or eight lots of lumber. He bought upon his own judgment without consulting defendant, and defendant never complained of his exercising such discretion. He received on the 7th of October, 1885, the following letter from defendant: (skipped)

Additional Notes.

1871 – Michigan Marriages: Flint, Genesee, Mich.

• James Grey, b. 1850, Canada, married May 29, 1879, to Ella D. Satterlee, b. 1854, Ohio.

  1879 – Directory: Bay City, Mich.

• Gray, James – Book and Job Printing, 206 Center, res e s Birney, nr 6th.

  1879 – History of Genesee County, Mich.

• James Gray, of Bay City, was office foreman for The Flint Globe. (no date specified)

  1883 – Directory: Bay City, Mich.

• Gray, James – Mgnr Morning Call and Book and Job Printer, 203 Center, res s s 6th 1 w of Madison.
• Lewis & Gray – (George F. Lewis, James Gray), publrs and proprs Daily Morning Call, 205 Center.

  1885 – Index to Legal Periodicals, Vols. 12-13.

• James Gray, of Bay City, was publisher for Tax Law Reporter, Vol. 1. & Vol. 2, (Monthly), edited by Hon. A. C. Maxwell.

  1886-7 – Directory: Bay City, Mich.

• Gray, Eliza – domestic, 713 9th.
• Gray, James – Book and Job Printer, 203 Center, res s e cor 9th and Lincoln.

  1894 – Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.

• Gray, James - b. 1851.
• Ellen D., wife – b. 1854.
• Fine, John, adopted son – b. 1875.

  1900 – Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.

• Gray, James – b. Jun., 1850, Canada – married 1871.
• Ellen, wife – b. Dec. 1854, Ohio.
• John S., adopted son – b. Jan., 1875, Rhode Island.

  1910 – Census: Bay City, Bay, Mich.

• Gray, James – age 59, b. Canada.
• Ella D., wife – age 56, b. Ohio.