El Dorado County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
 
ALLEN T. GRAY
 
            The subject of this brief notice, was the first actual settler on 
Gray�s Flat, and the one from whom it derived its name.  He was born in Trigg 
county, Virginia, October 22, 1814, is the seventh son of a family of twelve 
children, born to James and Catherine Gray.  In an early day they moved from 
Virginia to Kentucky and settled on a farm.
            Allen T. remained at home cultivating his father�s farm until the 
year 1828.  On the 4th day of September of that year he was joined in wedlock to 
Miss Phoebe Pack, a daughter of John and Sarah Pack, who were natives of 
Maryland on the father�s side, Ohio on the mother�s.
            Shortly after their marriage they moved to Polk county, Missouri, 
and engaged in farming.  In 1841 removed to Montgomery county, Illinois.  In 
1851 Mr. Gray crossed the continent to California.  He left home on the 5th day 
of April and arrived at Mud Springs on the 9th of September, same year.  He 
followed mining until in January, 1856, he rented Shingle Springs Hotel which he 
kept until late in October of the same year.  He then moved on to his present 
hone on what is known as Gray�s Flat, and was the first family to locate there.  
He owns about 400 acres of land, about 60 of which is good mineral land.
            Mr. Gray was the last Treasurer of El Dorado county, before the 
office was merged into that of the Sheriff�s office. They have had six children, 
viz.:  Owen A., Dallas P., Eusley T., Medora A., Sarah C. and Mary V.  Medora is 
now Mrs. D. B. Merry, Mary V., now Mrs. John L. Houx, and Sarah C.,  Mrs. A. S. 
Bosquit.  A view of the residence and surroundings will be found on another page 
of this volume.  It was erected in 1858, and completed in 1863.  Mrs. Gray was 
born December 7, 1814. Both herself and husband are yet, at the advanced age of 
68 years each, in the enjoyment of good health, and have promise of many more 
years of life.  Their ancestors lived to be 100 years and some of them older.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 245
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler