Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 120. CARPUS GRAY Through hard work and the wise utilization of his opportunities Carpus Gray has steadily progressed, taking his place with Coburg's leading business men, and his record reflects credit upon an honored family name. He was born January 3, 1879, in Jackson county, Oregon, and his parents were William Foster and Cynthia (Skelton) Gray, the latter a native of Ohio. The father was a Virginian and in 1839 went to California. He journeyed from that state to Oregon, locating in Roseburg, and later settled in Jackson county. He was a farmer and carpenter and lived for a number of years on the Siuslaw river and at Cottage Grove, Oregon, but spent the latter part of his life in Forest Grove, Oregon. There he passed away in 1923 and his wife's demise occurred in 1922. Mr. Gray was a stanch republican and for two terms represented Lane county in the lower house of the state legislature. He was postmaster at Swancreek for several years and also acted as notary public. A man of high principles, he faithfully discharged every duty and obligation in life. He served in the Civil war and his son, W. L. Gray, fought in both the Spanish-American and World wars. Eugene and Floyd Gray, nephews of Carpus Gray, also went to France with the American Expeditionary Force. Floyd participated in the Argonne offensive and Eugene was a member of the Base Hospital Corps, while the other served in the infantry. To William F. and Cynthia Gray were born nine children, four of whom survive: Lela B., who is the wife of Prank Priest, of Newport, Oregon; James H., of Hillsboro, Oregon; Wallace L., of Oakland, California; and Carpus Gray, of Coburg, Oregon. The last named was educated in Brownsville, Oregon, and for several years devoted his attention to farm work. He went to Canada and for one and a half years lived in the province of British Columbia. For two years he rode the range in Montana and also cooked in cattle camps. He was at Klamath Falls, Oregon, for a time and then returned to Brownsville, Mr. Gray spent a year in Idaho and afterward worked in a sawmill at Coburg, where he also conducted a meat market for two years, was at Silverton, Oregon, one summer and then at Mabel, Oregon, as millwright for three years. In 1919 he opened a store in Coburg and has since handled poultry supplies, flower and vegetable seeds, hay, straw and feed. His business is managed with system and efficiency, and honorable, straightforward dealing has won him a large patronage. Mr. Gray has served on the town council and is an ardent advocate of good roads and schools. He is a broad-minded man and a public-spirited citizen who holds a secure place in the esteem of all who know him. On the 5th of May, 1902, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Lydia E. Alford, who was born in Linn county, Oregon, on the homestead of her paternal grandfather. Her father, T. E. Alford, was born January 26, 1853, near Harrisburg, Oregon, and his parents were Russell and Martha Jane Alford. His mother was born in Missouri and his father was a native of Tennessee. In 1850 they started for the Pacific northwest, traveling in a covered wagon drawn by oxen, and in 1851 settled on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, situated three miles northwest of Harrisburg, in Linn county, Oregon. From time to time Russell Alford increased his holdings and eventually became the owner of fourteen hundred acres of valuable land. He was one of the pioneer stockmen of this region and later specialized in the production of grain. He remained on the ranch until his demise in 1882 and was long survived by his widow, who passed away in 1918. Their son, T. E. Alford, attended the rural schools of Linn county and cultivated the homestead until 1890, when he came to Lane county. He worked in a sawmill at Coburg for twenty years and for fourteen years was janitor of a local school. He is now retired and his wife is also living. He is a Mason, belonging to Thurston Lodge, No. 28, F. & A. M., of Harrisburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Alford were born seven children: Ada May, deceased; Lydia Ellen, now Mrs. Carpus Gray; Etta, who married W. T. Chandler.; Clarence; Clara, whose husband is Harry Vout; Edna, the wife of Had Haselton; and Clayton. Mr. and Mrs. Gray became the parents of twelve children, six of whom died in infancy. Their daughter Lucille married C. W. Pitkin and lives in Hoquiam, Washington. She is the mother of three children: Eugene, Charles and Clara. The younger members of the family are: Vernon, who is also married; Loran, a high school student; Francine, who is attending grammar school; and Robert and Lillian. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.