EVERETT E. GRAY, M.D.

 

In Dr. Gray, who for the past twelve years has been successfully practicing his chosen profession in Marysville, we have an example of one who has made exceptional preparations for his life’s work.  He was born on his father’s ranch in Sutter County, November 29, 1887, a son of William J. and Mary A. (Fortna) Gray, natives of Illinois and Missouri, respectively.  William J. Gray, a son of James Gray, was born October 31, 1844, in Hancock County, Ill., and died October 23, 1899, at his home near Yuba City.

Born and reared in Scotland, Grandfather James Gray spent his early life in his native country.  Immigrating to the United States in 1829, he followed the trade of a millwright in the East for several years, after which he followed the pioneer’s trail westward to Iowa.  Taking up land near Keokuk, he carried on general farming for a time, and then removed to Hancock County, Ill., becoming a pioneer settler of that place.  He was living there during the intense excitement caused by the swarming of the Mormons into that county, when on June 27, 1844, Joseph and Hiram Smith were killed by an infuriated mob in the Carthage jail.  James Gray subsequently took an active part in forcing the entire Mormon population to leave the State.  In 1855, with his family, he came overland with ox teams to California, locating near Yuba City, where for a short time he lived on rented land.  Subsequently buying a squatter’s title to near-by land, he began the improvement of a ranch; and meeting with well-deserved success in his operations, he bought additional land, becoming owner of a valuable farm of 800 acres.  In addition to managing this, he also owned and operated a threshing machine for many years.  He was strong and active until his death in 1868, at the age of sixty-four years.  He was a Republican and a Presbyterian.  His wife, who was Miss Mary Carr, was born in Scotland, immigrated to the United States, and died on the farm in the same year that he died.  Seven children were born of their union, William J., the father of our subject, being the fifth in order of birth.

At the age of eleven years, after obtaining his early elementary education in the district schools of Hancock County, Ill., William J. Gray came with his parents to Sutter County, and in the years that followed assisted in the labors incident to improving a farm.  On the death of his parents he inherited 160 acres of the home ranch, and began farming on his own account.  He subsequently bought adjoining land, including 160 acres inherited by his brother Robert, and at his death was owner of 400 acres of fine land, on which he made improvements of value.  On December 1, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary A. Fortna, a native of Missouri, daughter of Stephen R. Fortna.  In 1843 David Fortna, grandfather of Mrs. Gray, settled in Illinois, where he resided until his death in 1860, at the age of sixty years.  In 1860 Stephen R. Fortna came to California, settling two and a half miles southwest of Yuba City, where he filed a homestead claim and afterward bought eighty acres adjoining, on which he carried on general farming until his death in June, 1892.  Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Gray seven children were born: Luella E., deceased; Gertrude Viola; William Jackson; Albert D.; Everett E., of this review; Lawrence, who died while in service during the World War; and Evelyn, who died in infancy.  William J. Gray was an active Republican, and for a number of years served as school trustee.  He was a member of Yuba City Lodge No. 185, I.O.O.F.

The elementary education of Everett E. Gray was obtained in the Yuba City grammar schools and the Marysville High School, from which he was graduated in 1907.  He then entered Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, which became a part of Stanford University in 1907, and was graduated with the class of 1911, with the degree of M.D.  He then located in Marysville and opened offices, and here he has since remained in the practice of his profession.  Dr. Gray served for one year during the World War at Camp Kearney, at the base hospital, entering as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, U.S.A., and being later commissioned a captain.

The marriage of Dr. Gray united him with Miss Phyllis L. Harrison, a native of England; and they are the parents of one son, Everett Edward, Jr.  Dr. Gray is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association.  Fraternally, he belongs to Marysville Lodge No. 783, B.P.O.E., and to the Nu Sigma Nu fraternity in San Francisco.

 

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924

p 814

 

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TIMOTHY J. DOLAN

 

From early pioneer times, members of the Dolan family have figured prominently in connection with the exploitation and development of the mineral and agricultural resources of Yuba and Sierra Counties; and Timothy J. Dolan has ably carried forward the work begun by his father, displaying that spirit of enterprise which characterizes California’s native sons.  He is one of the largest landholders in Yuba County, his ranch being situated twenty-two miles northeast of Marysville, and he also has valuable mining properties in Sierra County.  He was born near Downieville, in Sierra County, October 4, 1859, and has spent his entire life in the vicinity of Marysville and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  His parents, Timothy and Ann (Langan) Dolan, were both natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the New World.  At the time of the Mexican War the father loyally espoused the cause of his adopted country, and in 1846 enlisted in the United States Army.  He served under General Winfield Scott and went with his command to Mexico City.  In 1848 he left New York on a sailing vessel bound for California, making the perilous voyage around Cape Horn, and arrived in San Francisco eight months later.  In 1849 he was joined by his wife, who sailed from New Orleans, La.  In order to reach the mines, she rode on muleback over the Florida House trail into Goodyear Bar, as there were no wagon roads in those early times.  The father first engaged in the meat business, and also handled fuel, carrying his supplies by pack-train to the mines of Sierra County.  In 1852 Mr. Dolan paid fifty dollars for a fifty-pound sack of flour at a store at Goodyear Bar, and all other food commodities were proportionately high.  Subsequently he purchased land in Yuba County and for many years engaged in raising live stock, herding his cattle on the high Sierras in summer, while during the winter they grazed on the foot-hills.  He experienced all of the hardships, privations and dangers incident to pioneer life, and his years of arduous toil were rewarded by a substantial measure of success.  His declining years were spent in ease and comfort, and death called him on August 2, 1908, when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-nine.  The mother survived him but a short time, passing away eleven days later on the home farm.  Their family numbered ten children: Thomas F., Mary, Annie, Timothy J., Ellen, Alice, Harriet, Jennie, William and Edward.  Six of the children are now living.  The daughter Jennie married Cornelius Conneghan, of Oregon House, Yuba County, whose biography is published elsewhere in this volume.  Mary is devoting her life to religious and education work, in which she has been very successful, and as Sister Mary Veronica she is beloved by those who have come within the sphere of her influence.  In 1872 she entered Notre Dame Convent at Marysville, from which she was graduated in 1876; and she has since followed the profession of teaching.  She is the possessor of fine intellectual attainments, and has been highly honored by the Order of Notre Dame, being appointed Sister Superior on the Pacific Coast, with headquarters at San Jose, Cal.  Annie is the wife of John McGreevey, of Browns Valley; Alice is Mrs. McDonald, of San Francisco; and Thomas F. resides at Morgan Hill.

Timothy J. Dolan was reared on the home farm and early became familiar with the various duties connected with its cultivation and development.  For many years he was associated with his father in the live-stock business, in which they were very successful.  He sold his stock a few seasons ago, and is now devoting his attention largely to the development of his mining properties in Sierra County, where he makes his home during the summer months.  He has made a close study of the gold-mining industry, and his investments have been judiciously placed.  He owns 200 acres of the home place and the 640-acre ranch adjoining, on which he raises hay, using a portion of the land for pasture.  His ranch is supplied with all modern improvements, and his methods of farming are both practical and progressive.