FRANCIS GRAY, deceased, who was the founder of and principal owner in the F. Gray Company, for years one of the largest and most important industrial enterprises of Piqua, was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1821. His parents were William and Ellen Gray, and on the paternal side he is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. William Gray was a native of the Keystone state and a soldier of the War of 1812.

The subject of this sketch, after he had attained his majority, engaged in the business of rafting lumber down the river to Pittsburg and Cincinnati. He also carried on a store in Pittsfield. He was doing very well in a business way when Fortune suddenly frowned upon him - a sudden and violent flood, in the spring of 1850, carrying off his logs and lumber and causing him a severe loss. Finding it necessary to make an assignment, he made one of his creditors the assignee. This man, however, proved dishonest; turning everything he could into money, he departed leaving the other creditors unpaid.

Finding it necessary to seek employment elsewhere, Mr. Gray put his family on a raft and started down the river to Covington, Ky., where he arrived in September, 1851, with about $150 as his sole cash capital. Being acquainted in the lumber trade, he succeeded in finding work in measuring lumber on the wharves. He also received a commission of fifty cents per thousand for selling shingles and gradually built up for himself a small trade in this line. He was, however, for some time in very reduced circumstances. One day, having earned a larger commission than usual, he found himself in possession of two hundred dollars, a larger sum than he had been able to accumulate since his misfortune. He carefully invested this money so that it brought a profitable return, and with this for a new beginning he subsequently carried on various trading transactions until he found his capital increased to one thousand dollars. He now embarked once more in business for himself, having in the meanwhile added to his business knowledge by taking a course in a commercial institution. Finding a partner with equal capital, he again entered into the lumber business, having a yard in Covington. The value of a good reputation here came to his aid, for an extensive lumber dealer who knew his history offered him as much lumber on credit as he might require, and with brightening prospects he now looked forward to the time when he should be able to pay off all his old debts. He returned East and arranged with his former creditors to make payment, giving them notes with approved security.

In 1859 Mr. Gray enlarged his business interests by becoming half owner in a flouring mill with J. D. Patch of Cynthiana, Ky. This line of business giving promise of greater returns than that in which he was engaged, he sold out his lumber interests and went to Cynthiana. He had now paid off some of his indebtedness and had but two thousand dollars with which to embark in the new venture, and this small capital was counter-balanced by two thousand dollars of old debts that he still owed.

Mr. Gray enjoyed six prosperous years in Cynthiana, his returns from the flouring mill enabling him to pay off all his old debts, to purchase a half interest in the mill, and to establish a woolen mill. In the spring of 1865 he wound up his business affairs in Cynthiana and returned to Covington, having a bank account of $28,000. Here he engaged in the woolen business, leasing a large building, which he fitted up with improved machinery. This mill he operated until 1869, when, the water supply proving inadequate, he looked about for another location and found it in the beautiful Miami Valley at Piqua. His first business operations here were conducted in partnership with Dr. O'Farrell and Thomas L. Daniels, the firm conducting, a prosperous business until the financial panic of 1873, which put a stop to the profitable manufacture of woolen goods for the time being.

Not proposing to remain idle, however, longer than was absolutely necessary, Mr.. Gray planned another enterprise, which subsequently developed into one of the most flourishing industrial enterprises of Piqua. He had some time previously become interested in the subject of felt paper manufacture, having succeeded in obtaining the rudiments for manufactures of various kinds from an old Englishman, who had worked at the business in England, and as the result of his investigations he believed there was room for a good mill of that kind in this section of the country. His partner, Dr. O'Farrell, however, was distrustful of the new project, and not wishing to embark in it, Mr. Gray, with the aid of some friends in the East bought out his interest in the former mill and proceeded to establish the new industry. At first there were many discouragements and some loss. Some processes had to be perfected through experiment, but headway was gradually made until, through perseverance and energy Mr. Gray succeeded in making felts that were able to compete with those manufactured by the great concerns that had had for a long time a monopoly of the business.

In 1881 the F. Gray Company was incorporated, the leading stockholders and owners being Francis Gray, H. C. Nellis, and William C. Gray. In the following year the old plant was destroyed by fire and a new one erected the buildings composing the plant being comparatively modern in structure. They were built substantially of brick and fitted up with the most up-to-date machinery known to the trade. The product of the company consisted of papermakers felts and jackets, flannels and yarns, the orders, especially for felts, coming from all parts of the United States and Canada and even from across the ocean. Their cylinder felt jackets earned the reputation among paper mill men of being the best in the world. Their product also included laundry machine clothing, mangled cloths, scarlet flannels for underwear, and sleeping car blankets. The utmost care was taken in every department of this large concern, the best grades of wool only being selected; and every step in the process of manufacture was watched over by thoroughly competent foremen and superintendents, the most skillful workmen being employed. The pay-roll of the works numbered one hundred and fifty hands. The paper maker's felts and laundry machine clothing were made specially to order to suit the requirements of the different manufactures, the product going directly to the trade throughout the country.

Mr. Gray's success was the result primarily of his own efforts and he reaped the reward in large measure of his foresight and perseverance Everything about his vast business was given his personal attention, no detail being so small as to be overlooked by the eye of the master. He was both just and liberal to his employees, paying them good wages, and his business dealings with others were marked by a strict regard for honesty and fair dealing. He was quick to record faithful service, and every one of his employees knew that so long as the wheels of the factory might turn he could keep his position if he were faithful and attended to his work with diligence and sobriety. Mr. Gray's death took place March 30, 1901, after an illness of several months, the news being received with a feeling of deepest regret by the citizens of Piqua generally. The local journals and those throughout the county paid sincere and graceful tributes to his memory, all realizing that the county had lost one of its foremost citizens and benefactors.

Mr. Gray was married in 1844 to Miss Rebekah Arthur, who died in 1855, leaving a son, W. C. Gray, who was associated with his father in the business.

In 1857 Mr. Gray married for his second wife Mrs. Jane E. Penney, of Covington, Ky. She died June 16, 1875, leaving a son, Walter E. Penney, of her former marriage, who as born in 1852. The latter is now engaged in the oil business in Lima, Ohio. Mr. Gray was a third time married to Mrs. Sarah Ann Kendall, widow of Dr. F.S. Kendall, of Lima, Ohio, who now survives him and resides at No. 621 Broadway, Piqua.

In his early manhood Mr. Gray was a member of the Whig party, but on its dissolution joined the ranks of the Republicans and was afterwards a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He was made a Mason in Covington, Ky., in 1852, joining Colonel Clay Lodge, No. 159, F.& A.M., and was an esteemed member of the brotherhood. As a useful and public spirited citizen of Piqua few, if any, held a higher place than he.