Located at 506 South Sixth Street in Ironton, the Gray house is an example of Victorian-Italian Villa architecture. The house was originally built by James Ferguson in 1866 and is a three and a half story brick building.
Hiram Campbell was born on November 18, 1810 in Fleming County, Kentucky to a farming family. His father sold the family farm when Hiram was still quite young and moved the whole family to Maysville, Ohio.
Clinton Godsey Gray was born the son of Dr. John R. and Elizabeth Gray. Dr. Clinton Godsey Gray, also known as C.G., was most famous for owning and operating Gray’s Sanitarium. He was married to Ida L. Feurt. The couple obtained their marriage license on December 8, 1865. The Ironton Register however does not list their wedding announcement until January 18, 1866.
Dr. Dan Fuert Gray was born on March 30, 1894 at Olive Furnace in Lawrence County, Ohio. He was the son of Dr. Clinton G. and Ida L. Feurt Gray. He had four siblings, Clinton, Pauline E., Bundy M. and Juliet.
George Noah Gray was born in Pennsylvania on February 10, 1838. He arrived in Ohio at the age of 18. His first job was a farm laborer on a farm at Pine Creek. He saved the money made while working as a laborer and went to Waynesburgh College, Pennsylvania. After he received his degree, he returned to Pine Creek and became a teacher.
Born in 1834, Jeremiah “Jere” Davidson was the son of James and Frances Combs Davidson. He spent most of his youth in Ironton, Ohio.
Like many young men of that age, he joined the Grand Army of the Republic and fought in the civil war. He was considered a hero and suffered many wounds. One such wound brought him back to Ironton. A bullet went completely through his body. He was so badly wounded, he was left for dead. When he was found still alive, he was sent home to recover.
William “Ranger” Davidson was born on November 20, 1747 in Suffex County, Delaware. He was the son of Lewis and Comfort Warrington Davidson. His parents named him after his grandfather and great-grandfather.
J. T. Davis came to Ironton in the 1850’s. He was the owner a dry goods store. In the early days, the store was located at the corner of 2nd and Lawrence Streets.
He married a woman named Mary. The couple has two sons, Edward and Walter. The family made their home at 723 South 4th Street in Ironton. Mary died in Ironton on October 1, 1864.
During his time in Ironton, J. T. built the city hall building on the corner of Lawrence and 2nd Streets. He used the second floor of the building for his dry goods store.
Samuel W. Dempsey was born on August 20, 1811 in Maria Forge, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He remained in Maria Forge until he was eighteen years old. At the age of eighteen, he moved with his parents to Greenup, Kentucky. He did return to his home county to marry Catherine Atwell. Unfortunately, his marriage with Catherine was cut short by her death in 1855.
This famous Irontonian was a major conductor of the Underground Railroad. His part of the railroad stretched for sixty-five miles. He took people along the Ohio River, through neighboring woods, and on old Indian trails. His usual destination was Poke Patch near present day Blackfork, Ohio. During his career as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, he assisted over 300 slaves to freedom in Canada.
