Oliver Gray. The connection of Oliver Gray with the agricultural interests of Miami county has been that of a progressive farmer of modern tendencies whose good citizenship has found expression in his support of worthy movements. During the long period that he has followed his vocation in Monroe township he has so directed his affairs and conducted his actions as to have gained and held the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. Mr. Gray was born October 11, 1860, in Virginia and was a child when brought by his parents to this county, the family settling in Monroe township. His father, Michael Gray, came of Revolutionary ancestry and had an honorable military record of his own as a soldier of the Confederacy during the war between the States. Following the war Michael Gray resumed farming operations, in which he continued to be engaged during the remainder of his life and was esteemed in the community in which he made his home. He married Elizabeth Michaels and they had seven children: six boys and one girl, among them being Oliver; Richard, who had a son Frank in the United States Army during the World war, seeing service in France; and J. A., who had two sons, Cary and Ed, both of whom saw overseas service during the period of that great struggle. Oliver Gray received his education in the public schools of Monroe township and passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm. When he reached years of maturity he embarked in agricultural ventures on his own account and has continued to follow the same line of endeavor to the present time with constantly increasing success. At this time he is the owner of eighty-two and one-half acres of valuable land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and on which he raises all the standard crops of the region, also having a good grade of cattle and other live stock. His improvements are modern and his buildings commodious, and all in all his property presents a prosperous and pleasing appearance. Mr. Gray has always performed well the responsibilities of citizenship and was a supporter of all war measures during the war period. He married, February 8, 1890, Ida May, daughter of Harrison and Susan (Cottrell) Coates, also a Miami county agriculturist, and to this union there were born two children: Willie, engaged in farming in Monroe township, who married Edith Macey and has two children, Willie, Jr., and Keith; and Willis, who died in October 1919, on the home farm. Mr. Gray attends the Church of the Brethren.