Claude Arthur Gray (1876 - 1951)

Born 19 Nov 1876 in Streator, LaSalle Co., IL

Ancestors

Husband of Lois Edna Woodruff — married 14 Feb 1894 in Long Point IL

Husband of Lestra Knowles — married 1908 in Denver CO

Descendants

Died 4 Feb 1951 at age 74 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Stu Wilson [send private message]

Biography

Claude Gray was born 19 Nov 1876 Streator, LaSalle Co., IL.^[1] Claude graduated law school. He worked as a traveling advance man and real estate salesman.

Claude married Lois Edna Woodruff at the age of 18 in Feb of 1894. Divorced or marriage was annulled in Nov 1894. Claude and Lois resided at Manville in the county of Livingston at time of application, Feb 5 1894. He is listed as at least 21 years old and she over 18.

Claude married second 28 Aug 1908 Denver CO Lestra Knowles.^[2]

Claude was a traveling advance man for the new motion picture industry and lived in Salt Lake with his widowed mother. He was about 5`6`` tall. Played trumpet in John Phillips Sousa's band. He played the organ background music for the silent movies in SLC, sold hot dogs at the ball park.^[3]

Received letter Claude sent to Adrienne, his daughter 94/35. Aunt Lois had it and sent it to me November 1996. This letter all but cements the IGI Claude as being the same Claude that married Grammie Eades. The Stationery has a Salt Lake City address crossed off and a San Francisco address written above it. The IGI Carol Gray Weathers Claude lived in Salt Lake & San Francisco. The letter also refers to Aunt Carrie, the IGI Claude's mother had a twin sister Carrie. The only thing that doesn't add up is that in the letter Claude states "mother and I came here (this trip) in 1932." He talks of his mother being alive when he wrote the letter. Carol Weathers info states she died before 1930.

Probate for Alexander Fuller, his grandfather, lists Claude as living in Cook County IL October 1907.

Claude Gray died February 4 1951, separated, b November 19 1876, Illinois (Carol W gave his b as November 19 1877) father Arthur Gray, Illinois, Informant Laguna Honda Home, died San Francisco, cause of death bronchopneumonia, age 74, real estate salesman.

Transcriptions

Lexington Genealogy & Historical Society 1997 marriage license for Claude & Lois

• date of license: 5 Feb 1894.

• Groom: Claude A Gray residence Manville Ill.

• Occupation: Law student age 22.

• Place of birth: Streator Ill.

• Father's name: James Gray.

• Mother's name: -----------Fuller.

• Bride: Lois Edna Woodruff.

• Residence:'Manville*.

• Age: 19 Place of Birth: Ransom Ill.

• father: Homer H Woodruff.

• mother: Clara G Neewman.

• married 14 Feb 1894 Long Point Ill.

• marriage performed by Silas Berry JP.

• wit: Edna M Fletcher.

• Guy R Baker.

Manville is in Livingston Co. ne of Long Point.

Copy of letter Claude sent to his son Fred 6 Nov 1937-sent by Carol Gray Weathers.

Claude was living at 851 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco CA. Frederick Gray, his son was living in Denver CO.

Claude Gray business card

CLAUDE A. GRAY.

and his.

FOOLISH WIVES.

Sources

1. ↑ Death Certificate
2. ↑ Colorado, County Marriages and State Indexes, 1862-2006, https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/52410673/person/13349644174/facts
3. ↑ reply from his granddaughter Carol Gray Weathers on July 12, 1996