HON. HAMPTON P. GRAY

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 641-642:

Hon. Hampton P. Gray

(Judge of the Probate Court of Vernon County, Residence, Nevada).

   A number of years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty of the positions which he has occupied has been a marked characteristic of Judge Gray's career in life.  He is one of the native-born residents of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Boone county January 27, 1820, and consequently he is now approaching the age of 67 years.  His father and mother, John and Sarah (Thompson) Gray, were originally from Virginia and Kentucky, respectively.  The former became one of the earliest settlers of Boone county, Mo., and took active part in its development, establishing among other things the first ferry at Rocheport, on the Missouri river.  In 1839 he removed to Head's Fort, Pettis county, which continued to be his home until called away by death.  Mrs. Gray came of Irish parentage.  She bore her husband eight children, and of these Hampton was the seventh child and third son.  From an early age he obtained a fair schooling, living in the meantime upon the home farm in either Boone or Howard counties.  But finally a cherished desire to follow the legal profession as a calling led him to commence the study of law, and under that honored and able advocate, Abiel Leonard, he pursued his legal studies for some time.  However, he never applied himself to active practice but engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued up to 1880.  During a portion of the war troubles he had removed from his home in Southwest Missouri to Monroe county, his wife's health being such as to necessitate her removal from the scenes of turmoil and strife.  In 1867 he located at Columbia, Boone county and remained there until 1869 when he came to Vernon county, where he has since been numbered among her most respected citizens.  While living in Pettis county Mr. Gray held the position of judge of the county court for 11 years, a fact which needs no additional words of commendation.  In 1872 he was chosen to represent this county in the State Legislature, and served through both the general and adjourned sessions with credit to himself and his constituents, being a member of the Committees on Agriculture and Retrenchment and Reform.  In 1881 Judge Gray was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of county judge and in 1882 he was made the probate judge of the county, a position he has since continued to occupy.  He has been twice married.  First May 2, 1842, to Miss Amanda Snell, a native of Kentucky, who accompanied her parents to Boone county, Mo., while only an infant.  She died in January, 1865, leaving three children:  Ashby, John C. and Clifton S.  In April 1867, the Judge was married to Mrs. Albina (Snell) Hudson, widow of President Hudson, of the State University.  She was a sister to his first wife, and by her previous marriage had two sons, Walter P. and James S. Hudson.  Judge Gray is well known and his agreeable and kindly manner and gentlemanly bearing having gained for him wide respect.

[Transcribed by Marty Patton]

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