Although Elias’ name was included as a genealogical inscription on the tall granite Gray family monument at Lenora Cemetery, his military service as a War of 1812 veteran entitled him to his own individual marker. Thanks to descendant Phillip Gray of El Dorado Hills, California, a freshly set marker will already be honoring Elias’ gravesite before the publication date of this week’s segment of the War of 1812 bicentennial series. Remembrance of his patriotic service was officially recognized with a gravestone unveiling and dedication sponsored by the Veterans Services Office in Preston.
As head genealogist for the Gray family, great-great-grandson Phillip collected family stories, documents, and photographs from a young age. His research eventually led him to visit Lenora Cemetery, where he confirmed that Elias lacked a gravestone. Phillip reached out to VSO Jason Marquardt to request a gravestone be ordered for the unmarked gravesite. Arrangements were set into motion with the Department of Veterans Affairs to facilitate the stone set by Lewiston Monuments.
Elias was born 8 Dec 1788 in Connecticut. He served as a private under Captain Peleg Arnold in Lt. Colonel Christopher P. Bellinger’s 27th Regiment, New York Detached Militia from 19 Sep 1814 to 21 Nov 1814. He mustered out from Oneida County, New York. Following the war he married Mary R. Wheaton. Their three children — Andrew, Ruth and Alonzo — were born in Chenango and Herkimer counties. The family resided in New Berlin, Chenango County from 1820 to 1830. By 1840, they had migrated to Brookfield, Madison County, and subsequently settled in Bridgewater, Oneida County by 1850.
Elias was issued a military bounty land warrant of 40 acres in Gladwin County, Michigan, with the title transferred to George Dewey and Julius Austin on 1 Nov 1854. Subsequent to that transaction, Elias and Mary headed westward on a six-week journey to Fillmore County, Minnesota Territory, where their son Andrew had moved his family the previous spring. Elias was granted a 120-acre bounty land warrant in the El/28El/4 and SWl/4 SEl/4 of section eight of Newburg Township authorized by the ScripWarrant Act of 1855. According to the History of Fillmore County (1882) the Gray family had settled in Newburg Township in 1854, where they built a 16 x 20 log house in section seven. On 1 Sep 1860 Elias assigned the 120 acres in section eight over to Hans Arenson. Elias and Mary lived with son Alonzo until their deaths. Elias died 15 Mar 1863 at the age of 75 years and 7 months. His widow died 9 Apr 1868. The couple is buried in lot 93 at Lenora Cemetery.
Several of Elias’ children and grandchildren became judges, attorneys, and men of prominence, both in Fillmore County and throughout the United States. Alonzo’s son, Archibald D. Gray, of Preston, was regarded as one of southern Minnesota’s most respected lawyers and served as justice of the peace for several years. The Gray family took public service to heart and played an active role in the formative days of Fillmore County.
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