In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1835
From The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882)
ALEXANDER GRAY, section 29, post office Clearmont. Prominent among the men who have been closely identified with the agricultural and mercantile interests of this district stands the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Indiana, and was born September 27, 1835. He was there reared to manhood, following farming as an occupation. In 1857, he immigrated to Missouri, and settled where Clearmont now stands. In 1867, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in that place, and after a lapse of six months, he sold a half interest to W. M. Gray, the firm then being Gray & Gray. With this firm he was engaged in business for fourteen months, then selling out. Mr. G. was next occupied in operating a saw mill, which he continued for one year, at the same time managing his farm. Then with his old partner, W. M. Gray, he purchased their old business, which they continued one year, W. M. Gray then selling to the subject of this sketch. Under the name of the latter it was conducted one year. Mr. Gray then disposed of his stock to Smith & Rogers, and devoted his time to farming on the place where he now resided He has two hundred acres of fine land, 150 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. G. has been twice married. First, April fi, 1858, to Miss Mahala Shanklin. They had four children: James A., Asa A., Effie F., and Ada M. Mrs. Gray's death occurred April 27, 1879. He was again united in marriage September 2, 1880, to Mrs. Mary J. Miller. At the breaking out of the war, Mr. G. enlisted in the State Militia, serving six months, and in 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, and was sergeant of that company for about two years, when he was commissioned second lieutenant. This position he held till the close of the war. He is one of the township trustees, and was justice of the peace for two years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has held the offices of secretary and senior and junior wardens.
As printed in The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.