John Russell Gray (abt. 1903 - 1943)

Born about 11 Jul 1903 in London Township, Middlesex, Ontario

Husband of Jessie Parsons Paterson — married 29 Jan 1927 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

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Biography

John Russell Gray is born in London Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada on either July 7 or July 11, 1903 [2][3]. His parents are Joseph Wellington Gray (1878-1956) and Florence E. Chrysler (1878-1951).

In 1924, John moves to Detroit, Michigan, where he has a job as a journalist. In 1925 he obtains his US citizenship [4]. On January 29, 1927, John marries Jessie Parsons Paterson (1908-?) in Toronto [5]. The marriage record shows his occupation as a salesman in Detroit, living at 1441 Helen Avenue. John and Jessie have two children [1]:

• John Russell Gray 1927-2017 + (1952) Araby Lockhart 1926-living

• David Gray ?-? + (1) Joan Rattray; + (2) Evelyn Watson

Their first child is born in Detroit in December 1927. Shortly after this, the family moves to Williamsport, Pennsylvania where John has a job with a newspaper [7]. In the 1930 US census records, John and Jessie are living in Williamsport with their first son [6]. This record shows that John’s occupation is in advertising for a publishing company.

By about 1933, John and Jessie move back to Canada [7]. We are not sure what happens next. We know that John dies of tuberculosis in 1943 [7], but we think John and Jessie were divorced sometime in the 1930s. John is buried in Johnson Cemetery, Saint Williams, Norfolk County, Ontario [8].

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

[1] The 1968 Paterson family tree by Marjorie Paterson shows John Gray as the spouse of Jessie Paterson. It shows 2 children: (1) John Gray + Araby Lockhart; and (2) David Gray + (i) Joan Rattray + (ii) Evelyn Watson.

[2] "Canada, Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMZT-694 : 2 March 2021), John Russell Douglas Gray, 07 Jul 1903; citing Birth, London Township, Middlesex, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,148,638. John Russell Douglas Gray was born July 7, 1903 in London Township, Middlesex County, Ontario. His parents are Joseph W. Gray and Florence E. Gray.

[3] "Canada, Ontario Births and Baptisms, 1779-1899", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2T6-BJD : 13 February 2020), John Russell Gray, 1903. John Russel Gray was born 11 July 1903 in London Township. Middlesex, Ontario. His parents were J.W. Gray and Florence E. Chrysler.

[4] "Michigan, Eastern and Western Districts, Naturalization Records, 1837-1993", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CLG9-CCPZ : 2 December 2021), John Russell Gray, 1925. It gives his address as 1447 Helen Ave., Detroit and it gives his occupation as a clerk. He was born July 11, 1903 in Middlesex County, Ontario.

[5] "Canada, Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKMR-JQY9 : 8 March 2021), Bertha Jane Davidson in entry for John Russell Gray and Jessie Parsons Paterson, 29 Jan 1927; citing registration , Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,435,011. Jessie Parsons Paterson married John Russell Gray on 29 Jan 1927 in Toronto. John Russel Gray (23) is a salesman who lives at 1441 Helen Ave., Detroit, Michigan. He was born in Ontario. His parents are Joseph Wellington Gray and [not legible – Florence G?? Ch??y??]. Jessie Parsons Paterson (18) is a student living at 2162 Gerard St., East, Toronto. Her parents are James Lockie Paterson and Bertha Jane [?or June] Davidson. The witnesses as Rhoda Elizabeth Howe and Kenneth George Gray, both of Toronto. The groom and the bride are both members of the United Church of Canada. They are married in the Church of England at 6 Trinity Square, Toronto.

[6] US 1930 census, Pennsylvania, Lycoming County, Williamsport, 5th ward, sheet 8 A, John R. Gray (26), born in Canada, married at age 23, occupation is advertising for a publishing business, Jessie Gray (21), wife, born in Canada, married at age 18; John R. Gray Jn (2 yrs + 3 months) born in Michigan. John Gray immigrated to the United States in 1924; Jessie in 1927.

[7] Globe & Mail March 16, 2017: “[The son] John Russell Gray was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Detroit, Mich., the elder son and namesake of John Russell Gray and his homemaker wife Jessie (born Jessie Parson Paterson). His parents were from Toronto but happened to be living in Detroit when Jack, the first of their two sons, arrived because his father, a journalist, had found a job there. He later went to work on a paper in Williamsport, Pa., but when Jack was 6, the family returned to Canada. When the boy was 16, his father died of tuberculosis in London, Ont., and his mother remarried.

[8] Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129816322/john-r-gray: accessed 26 April 2023), memorial page for John R. Gray (1903–1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 129816322, citing Johnson Cemetery, Saint Williams, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; Maintained by 4ever Nanny (contributor 47345810).

See also:

• Add sources here.
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G7SR-N6W