Kings County Biographies This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm REUBEN P. GRAY rancher, east of Lemoore, is a native of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, born in 1840. His father, A. W. Gray, (whose biography appears elsewhere) was by occupation a farmer. In 1847 they moved to Rock County, Wisconsin, and settled near Janesville, and in 1853 they moved to Minnesota, where subject secured a common-school education and attended to the duties of the ranch, remaining at home until 1859, when, in company with his father and two brothers, they started overland for California. The father was taken sick in the mountains, and it was only by great difficulty that they reached Placerville, and then securing medical attention, he partially recovered, and then returned to the States. R. P., with his brother, Harvey, then went to the mines at Oak Flat and mined in that locality about one year. In the spring of 1860 subject left the mines, and near Stockton he found occupation with a threshing machine, which he followed during the season. In 1861 he enlisted at Stockton in Company A, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, under Colonel Connor and Thomas E. Ketchum as Captain of Company A. Companie�s A and B were then sent to Humboldt County, California, to relieve the regulars, who were then forwarded to the front. This disturbed the California boys, who were also anxious to go East, but their service was by no means a sinecure, as the Indians being very troublesome, Company A soon engaged in active measures for suppression. They were the picked men of California, quick, resolute, daring, and with such qualifications were sent to Fort Seward in the Eel river country where the Indians were the most troublesome. Passing the winter at the fort in the spring of 1862 the warfare commenced, the company dividing into squads, which through ambush and ambuscade, eluded the Indians and captured many prisoners. Mr. Gray was detailed for scout duty, and with slight support was frequently placed in trying and dangerous positions, but by presence of mind and fearless actions, he escaped his pursuers and at one time and another captured several prisoners. The company were so active, vigilant and successful, that after quelling the outburst, the people of the Eel river district presented the company with a handsome silk flag, as a token of appreciation. Upon return to Stockton, the companies were then forwarded to Salt Lake to join the regiment, and they performed guard duty until 1864, when they were discharged and returned to California. Mr. Gray then followed threshing about Stockton or lumbering and freighting in the mountains until 1869 when he came to Tulare County, and in partnership with his brother, Harvey P. (whose biography elsewhere appears), they began farming and the sheep business, which the continued jointly until 1880, when they dissolved and divided their lands, subject retaining 1,000 acres near Lemoore. He then continued farming and the stock business until the fruit interest succeeded the farming interest; then Mr. Gray began selling his lands, and now has but eighty acres, thirty-five of which are in vines and trees, ten acres in alfalfa and balance in wheat and farm land. Mr. Gray was married at Salt Lake City, in 1864, after his discharge, to Miss Roxana J. Slocum, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union have been added five children: Josie, now Mrs. R. Giddings, Clarence A., Julian O., Jennie and Florence. Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics, but believes in universal rights and perfect freedom to all, allowing each man to direct his own life, so long as he does not oppose the laws of his country. Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892 p. 776-777 Transcribed by Kathy Sedler