San Joaquin County
Biographies
JAMES DALTON GRAY
J. D. GRAY, proprietor of the
Model Drug Store, Stockton, is a native of Jefferson, Lincoln County, Maine,
born December 23, 1835, his parents being Dr. Peter T. and Elizabeth (Kennedy)
Gray. His father, a native of Salem, Massachusetts, was a son of an Episcopal
minister, and was educated at Harvard University. He was also graduated at the
Harvard Medical School. His wife is a native of Maine, and a member of one of
the old families of that State.
J. D. Gray, the subject of this sketch,
was reared at his native place to the age of seven years, then removed to
Waldoboro, where he was educated. In 1857 the family removed to Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and there he entered into business in the spring of 1858 as a member
of the firm of Greeley & Gray, druggists, at 108 Bridge Square. Two years
later Mr. Gray bought his partners out, and carried the business on alone for
the succeeding two years. He then took as a partner his brother, Thomas K., and
their partnership continued until 1873. In that year Mr. Gray came to
California, and after two years in the drug business in San Diego, removed to
San Francisco, where he embarked in the business of money loaning and mining,
ranking as a capitalist. In July, 1880, he came to Stockton, and bought the
drug business of W. B. Pixley, on Main street, where Mr. Gray is now located.
This establishment is just what its name implies - a model drug store.
Mr. Gray was married in Oakland. His wife
was formerly Mrs. M. M. Vincent, a native of New York, but reared in
California. Mr. Gray is a member of Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F.; of Centennial
Lodge, K. of P.; of Legion of Honor, and of a lodge of the A. F. & A. M. in
Minneapolis. The drug store which he established in the latter city is still a
prosperous institution--the oldest drug store in that great young city.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 257-258. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
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